Display an image during a communication

ABSTRACT

An electronic device displays an image during a communication between two people. The image represents one of the people to the communication. The electronic device determines a location where to place the image and displays the image such that the image appears to exist at the location.

BACKGROUND

Handheld electronic devices enable two parties to communicate inreal-time with each other over large distances. By way of example, twopeople can exchange text messages, telephone each other, conduct a videocall, transmit emails, and communicate using other methods.

Advancements in communication technology will assist parties incommunicating with each other via electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a method to display an image in empty space during acommunication between parties in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a method to determine available objects and/or areas for acommunication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a method to select an object and/or an area for acommunication from multiple different objects and/or areas in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a method to display a preview of an image during acommunication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a method to display an image at a location to show a callhistory of a prior communication in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a method to display multiple locations to place an imageduring a communication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a method to match an orientation of an image with anorientation of a person during a communication in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a method to move an image to a different location during acommunication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a method to determine an object to display during acommunication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a method to adjust a size of an image based on a distance inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a method to display an indication of a location of an imagein accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a method to adjust an orientation of an image displayed to aperson during a communication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a method to display a suggestion for a location for acommunication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a method to determine a cost to use an object and/or areaduring a communication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIGS. 15A-15J show a first location with a first person having a firstelectronic device that communicates with a second electronic device of asecond person at a second location in accordance with exampleembodiments.

FIGS. 16A-16C show a person communicating with an image that moves fromone location to another location in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 17 shows a location at which a person wears a wearable electronicdevice that displays areas to receive an image or a person for acommunication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an electronic device with a display that displaysa preview of an image that represents a person to a communication beforethe communication with the person commences in accordance with exampleembodiments.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show an electronic device with a display that displaysa call history for a user at a physical location in accordance withexample embodiments.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show a user wearing electronic glasses while riding abicycle and communicating with an image of a person riding a bicycle inaccordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 21 is an electronic system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 22 is an electronic device in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 23 is an electronic device in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 24 is a method to display on an electronic device an image thatmatches a portion of a field of view that the electronic device blocksin accordance with an example embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments include systems, apparatus, and methods that displayan image during a communication between two or more people. Anelectronic device determines a location where to place an image anddisplays the image such that the image appears to exist at the locationduring the communication.

Other example embodiments are discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments include systems, apparatus, and methods that assistparties in communicating with each other.

In an example embodiment, an electronic device displays to a firstperson an image of a second person during a telephone call such that thesecond person appears to exist at the location of the first personduring the telephone call. The image is sized and shaped to represent oremulate the second person, and the image is placed and oriented at thelocation to simulate how the conversation would occur if both the firstand second person were located at the same place and talking with eachother.

An orientation of the image of the second person depends, for example,on which objects are located near the first person. For example, theimage can be altered or oriented to appear on an object near the firstperson (such as orienting the image to sit on an empty chair that existsnext to the first person or orienting the image to stand next to a tablethat exists near the first person). Orientation of the image can bebased on objects and/or environmental conditions at the location of thefirst person.

An electronic device also determines areas and/or objects that aresuitable and available to receive an image of a person during acommunication. These areas and/or objects can be displayed to a personso the person knows in advance where an image will appear or to wherethe user should move in order to participate in a call with anotherperson. For example, the electronic device determines areas that arelarge enough to accommodate an image of a person during a telephone calland then shows the person where these areas are located.

An electronic device also displays call histories that provide visualinformation of where a person was located during a call, where an imagewas located during a call, and other information. A user can quickly seeand understand a large amount of call history information.

An electronic device also provides a preview of an image before atelephone call or communication commences. The user is able to see wherethe image will appear before the call and also see what the image willbe.

In an example embodiment, an electronic device determines or knows alocation of its user and objects that are proximate to the user. Theelectronic device also determines or identifies these objects, such asidentifying one object as a table, another object as a chair, anotherobject as a sofa, etc. Based on this information, the electronic deviceplaces an image of a caller proximate to the user when the user and thecaller engage in a communication. The image of the caller appears to theuser to exist at this location since the image interacts with theobjects. For example, the image sits on a chair or stands next to afiling cabinet.

A size, shape, and appearance of the image are configured to coincidewith the environment or location of the user. These configurationsassist in making the image appear to exist at the location in a naturalor real way. For example, if the image is a person (such as a caller tothe communication), then the image appears with a height, weight, andappearance of the caller. In this manner, the image emulates the caller,and the user sees and interacts with the image as if the image were theactual caller instead of an image of the caller.

FIG. 1 is a method to display an image in empty space during acommunication between parties.

Block 100 states commence, over a wireless network, a communicationbetween a first electronic device of a first person situated at alocation and a second electronic device of a second person that isremote from the location.

By way of example, the electronic devices communicate an electronic callover one or more wireless networks and implement one or more differentcommunication methodologies. For instance, the communication includes,but is not limited to, one or more of a phone call, a video call, acommunication using binaural sound, a conference call, a communicationover the Internet or other network, a cellular call, etc. Further, thefirst and second person can be remote from each other, such as beingseparated from each other and/or being in separate or differentlocations (such as being in separate rooms, separate buildings, separatecities, separate states, separate countries, etc.).

Block 110 states determine an image that represents the second person.

By way of example, an electronic device captures, obtains, processes,creates, receives, or retrieves an image or video of the second personor an image or video that represents the second person. As an example,an electronic device captures a picture of the second person, and thisimage displays and represents the second person during thecommunication. As another example, the first or second person uploads aphotograph or a picture that represents the second person during thecommunication. For instance, the second person uploads a photo of ananimal, a building, a logo, scenery, nature, or other photo, and theelectronic device of the first person displays this photo or a variationof this photo to represent the second person. As another example, anelectronic device captures real-time video and/or images of the secondperson and uses this captured information to build a three-dimensional(3D) image or video from this real-time information. As yet anotherexample, a camera captures video of the second person, and this videorepresents the second person. As yet another example, the image includesa virtual image or virtual object.

Block 120 states determine an empty space that is proximate to the firstperson situated at the location and that has a size large enough toinclude the image that represents the second person.

By way of example, an electronic device executes object recognitionsoftware to determine an area or location that is not occupied with aphysical object. For instance, an object recognizer recognizes an objectas chair, determines that the chair is unoccupied, and calculates a sizeand a location of a seating area on the chair. As another example, astructure (such as a store or a room) includes physical areas that areempty and designated as available empty space. For instance, a 3D columnor box of empty space located next to table or a chair is designated asempty space, and this location is provided to electronic devices.

As another example, an electronic device scans and monitors objects andareas surrounding and/or proximate to the electronic device and mapslocations of these objects and areas. For instance, a map includesinformation about objects and empty spaces, such as coordinates orlocation information about the objects and empty spaces, sizes andshapes of the objects and empty spaces (including measurements orapproximations of length, width, and height of the objects and emptyspaces), an identification or categorization of the objects and emptyspaces (such as an object being a chair, a sofa, a desk, a cabinet,etc., or an empty space being indoors or outdoors), whether the objectsare movable, mobile, stationary, and permanent (such as determining thatan object is a person versus a table).

Block 130 states display the image such that the image appears in theempty space with an orientation that faces the first person situated atthe location.

In an example embodiment, the image of the second person appears to thefirst person to be situated or located in the empty space. For instance,an electronic device projects the image into the empty space. As anotherexample a display displays the image such that the image appears toexist in the empty space even though the empty space remains empty andvoid of any projection or physical object.

An orientation or direction of the image or one or more portions of theimage face the first person that is situated at the location. As anexample, a portion of the image rotates to face or be directed toward orat the first person. For instance, a face or head of the image orientsto be directed toward or looking at the first person.

The image is sized, shaped, and oriented so it appears to actually existat the location from the point of view of the first person. When thelocation is in the field of view of the first person, the image appearsat this location as if it actually existed at this location. Forexample, while the first person actually sits on a chair at a table, animage of the second person appears to be sitting on another chair of thetable even though in reality the chair is empty. A size of the image ofsecond person emulates or approximates a size of the second person.

Block 140 states determine movement of the first person and the firstelectronic device away from the location to different locations that areproximate to the location.

By way of example, an electronic device tracks, follows, or monitors themovement and location of the first person. For instance, while the imageof the second person appears to the first person to be situated on asofa in a room, the first person walks to different locations in theroom. An electronic device tracks movement of the first person in theroom and knows a location of the first person with respect to the imageof the second person on the sofa.

Block 150 states change an orientation of the image so the imagecontinues to face the first person at the different locations orcontinue to display the image in the empty space with the orientationthat faces the location while the first person and the first electronicdevice move to the different locations that are proximate to thelocation.

In an example embodiment, an orientation of the image of the secondperson faces or is directed toward an initial location of the firstperson. When, while, or after the first person moves away from thisinitial location, the image of the second person continues to facetoward the initial location even though the first person is physicallylocated at a different location. Alternatively, the image of the secondperson moves, adjusts, or rotates from the initial position when orwhile the first person moves so the image appears to follow, to watch,or to track the movement and location of the first person in real timeas the first person moves.

Consider an example in which a first person sits on a first chair in aroom with a second chair located directly in front of the first personand first chair. The second chair is empty. The first person wearselectronic glasses and initiates with these electronic glasses a phonecall to a handheld portable electronic device (HPED) of a second personlocated in a different country. When the phone call commences, theelectronic glasses retrieve a 3D image of the second person and displaythis 3D image on a display of the electronic glasses. From the point ofview of the first person, this 3D image appears to sitting in the secondchair that is located in front of the first person. Other individuals(such as people around or near the first person) can see the secondchair but cannot see the 3D image since this image appears on or thruthe display of the electronic glasses worn by the first person. The 3Dimages has a size of man that weighs 170 pounds and is six feet tallsince the second person weights 170 pounds and is six feet tall. A faceof the 3D image emulates or copies a real face of the second person, andthis face of the 3D image is directed toward the first person during thephone call such that the second person appears to be sitting on thechair and talking to the first person.

In one example embodiment, as the first person wearing the electronicglasses stands up from the first chair and moves around the room, theface of the 3D image remains directed toward the first chair from thepoint of view of the first person as see on or thru the electronicglasses. Thus, even though the electronic glasses move with respect tothe first and second chairs, the 3D image of the second person appearsto the first person to remain directed toward or looking at the firstchair. As the first person moves, the display of the electronic glassessimultaneously changes or alters the 3D image of the second person suchthat the second person appears to remain sitting on the chair andlooking at the first chair which is now empty since the first personstood up and walked away from it.

In another example embodiment, as the first person wearing theelectronic glasses stands up from the first chair and moves around theroom, the face of the 3D image rotates or moves so as to be directedtoward the first person. Thus, while the electronic glasses move withrespect to the first and second chairs, the 3D image of the secondperson appears to the first person to move such that a face of thesecond person continues to be directed toward or looking at the firstperson. As the first person moves, the display of the electronic glassessimultaneously changes or alters the 3D image of the second person suchthat the second person appears to remain sitting on the chair andlooking at the first person as the first person moves about the room todifferent locations.

Consider an example in which a first person enters a coffee shop whilewearing a wearable electronic device (WED) that receives a phone callfrom a smart phone of a second person. The WED determines availablelocations in the coffee shop that include an empty space that caninclude an image of the second person during the phone call. Theselocations are large enough to accommodate an image of the second personthat has a size and shape of the second person (e.g., a location largeenough to accommodate a person with a height, weight, shape, andorientation of a caller).

In this example, a computer of the coffee shop or other electronicdevice or devices in the coffee shop (such as WEDs, smart phones, andHPEDs of other customers) provide the available locations to the WED ofthe first person. The WED selects a suitable and available location anddisplays this location to the first person who proceeds to walk to theselected location. Upon arriving at or near the location, the WEDdisplays a 3D image of the second person during the phone call. The WEDlocalizes the voice of the second person such that the voice emanatesfrom the location of the image in empty space. When the phone callterminates, the 3D image of the second person disappears from thedisplay, and the WED notifies the computer of the coffee shop or theother electronic devices in the coffee shop that the phone call isfinished and the location is free or available for an image duringanother phone call.

FIG. 2 is a method to determine available objects and/or areas for acommunication.

Block 200 states determine objects and/or areas in proximity to anelectronic device and/or person.

An electronic device determines objects and areas (including emptyspaces) at a location. By way of example, this determination originatesfrom an object recognizer, an electronic map that includes locations ofobjects and empty spaces, a server (such as a cloud server), satelliteimagery, and/or electronic devices (such as electronic devices locatedat or proximate to an area).

The objects and/or areas are identified, recognized, and/or classified.For instance, physical objects are identified (such as identifying aperson, a floor of a building or structure, an object as a chair, atable, a couch, a column, a wall, a counter, a refrigerator, anappliance, etc.). Areas or spaces are also identified (such as being on,with, or proximate to an object, having a determined shape (circular,rectangular, square, polygonal, etc.), having a determined size (length,width, and height), and/or being fully or partially empty or occupied.

Block 210 states determine which of the objects and/or areas aresuitable and/or available to include an image during a communication.

An object and/or an area may or may not be suitable for a communicationbased on one or more factors. By way of example, these factors include,but are not limited to, a size of the object and/or area (including itslength, width, and/or height), a size of a volume or surface area of theobject and/or area, a shape of the object and/or area, a location of theobject and/or area, a proximity of the object and/or area to otherobjects and/or areas, a noise level at the object and/or area, anenvironmental condition at the object and/or area (such as temperature,rain, wind, etc.), an identification of the object and/or area (such asthe object being identified as a chair, an automobile, etc.), a level ofprivacy associated with the object and/or area (e.g., whether otherpeople not a party to the communication can hear a conversation takingplace at the object and/or area), a size, shape, weight, or orientationof a person to the communication (such as the location having asufficient size to include an actual or real size of a caller or partyto the communication), a size and/or shape of an image that represents aperson to the communication (such as the location having a sufficientsize and/or shape to include an image that represents a caller or personto the communication).

Some objects can be designated as being suitable or unsuitable toreceive or include an image during a communication. For example, peopleoften communicate on a computer or phone while sitting on a chair, acouch, a bed, or another object where people sit; and such objects canbe designated as suitable for a communication. By contrast, otherobjects can be designated as unsuitable for a communication, such ashome appliances (e.g., a refrigerator, an oven, a washing machine,etc.), machinery, office equipment (e.g., filing cabinets, desks,printers, etc.), and other objects not used for supporting or includinga person during a communication.

Areas can also be designated as being suitable or unsuitable to receiveor include an image during a communication. Examples of suitable areasinclude, but are not limited to, an area on and/or above a seat of achair, a couch, a bed, or another object where people sit. Suitableareas also include areas where people often or typically stand to engagein a communication. Examples of unsuitable areas include, but are notlimited to, areas with a level of noise at or over a predetermined level(such as being over a specific decibel level), areas with certainenvironmental conditions (such as a location being colder or hotter thana predetermined level, having rain or snow, having wind, etc.), crowdedareas, compact areas, dark areas, areas under objects (such as beingunder a table or being in an entrance way to a store), areas that aredangerous, and other areas generally not conducive for including animage that represents a person during a communication.

Even though an object or an area is suitable to receive or include animage that represents a person during a communication, the object orarea may not be available to include the image during the communication.For example, the object or area can be occupied with another image. Forinstance, an electronic device of a first person displays on an emptychair an image of a friend with whom the first person is talking. Anelectronic device of a second person near the empty chair is aware ofthis communication and designates the empty chair as being unavailableto receive or include an image of a person with whom the second persondesires to talk. The second person cannot see or detect the image of thefriend of the first person since this image is private and henceviewable by the first person and not other persons, including the secondperson. The electronic device of the second person, however, notifiesthe second person that the chair is being used for a communication andhence not available.

As another example, the object or area can be reserved. For instance, afirst person schedules a conference call for 11:00 a.m. in a coffee shopand at 10:45 a.m. reserves or designates an empty chair and/or an areaabove the empty chair as being unavailable for another person to sit orto place an image for a communication. Electronic devices of otherpeople determine that this chair and/or area above the chair is reservedor otherwise unavailable.

As another example, the object or area can be restricted. For instance,a public library wants certain areas in the library to remain quiet anddesignates these areas as not available for receiving or including animage during a communication. While in the library, a person receives aphone call on his smart phone, and a display of the smart phone showsareas that are restricted or prohibited from including images for thephone call.

Block 220 states determine an orientation for the objects and/or areas.

Objects and/or areas can have a direction or orientation depending, forexample, on their design and/or location. For example, a chair with aseat, a back, and armrests, is designed to have occupants sit in thechair with their backs to the back of the chair and their arms on thearmrests of the chair. While sitting in the chair, the occupants face ina forward direction per the design of the chair. As another example, acouch or a sofa can include both a sitting surface and a back portion.Occupants sit on the sitting surface of the couch or sofa with theirbacks against the back portion. While sitting on the couch or sofa, theoccupants face in a forward direction per the design of the couch orsofa. As yet another example, a stool with a swiveling seat is designedto have occupants sit on the swiveling seat and rotate to a desireddirection.

Areas can also have a direction or orientation depending on their size,shape, and/or location. For example, a house with a kitchen has an emptyarea that extends from a wall in the kitchen to a center of the kitchen.A forward or facing direction of this area would be from the wall towardthe center of kitchen. The wall would define a back of this area, and animage displayed to appear in this area would have its back against orfacing the wall. For instance, a default orientation of an image wouldbe to place a back of the image toward the wall and place a front orface of the image to toward the center of the kitchen.

Block 230 states process the suitable and/or available objects and/orareas with their associated orientations.

By way of example, process includes, but is not limited to, display,store, map, build, transmit, and/or execute the information about theobject and/or area. For instance, this information includes, but is notlimited to, a size of the object and/or area, a shape of the objectand/or area, a location of the object and/or area, a color of the objectand/or area, ambient or environmental conditions of the object and/orarea, a noise level of the object and/or area, a cost to use or rent theobject and/or area, a length of time of availability of the objectand/or area, an orientation of the object and/or area, whether theobject and/or area is occupied, empty, available, unavailable, suitable,and/or unsuitable, and other information discussed herein.

Consider an example in which a handheld portable electronic device(HPED) of a user continually, continuously, or periodically determinesand stores objects and areas that are proximate to the user as the usermoves from one location to another location. The HPED stores thisinformation and constructs or builds a map of the suitable and availablelocations for a communication. When the user receives a phone call, theHPED selects an available and suitable empty space proximate to the userand displays an image of the caller to the user at or in this emptyspace.

Consider an example in which an HPED of a user commences a videoconference communication with electronic devices of other users. TheHPED determines several different locations proximate to the user thatare available to receive images of the other users during thecommunication. Based on user preferences and previous or historic userselections, the HPED selects one of the locations and places images ofthe other users at this location during the communication.

Consider an example in which an HPED builds or accesses a map of objectsand areas proximate to a user as the user moves. When the user commencesa voice and video communication with a computer over the Internet, theHPED reviews the map and determines an empty chair exists three feet tothe side of the user. While the HPED and computer connect to commencethe communication, a display shows the user that images during the callwill be placed on the empty chair next to the user. When thecommunication commences, the HPED displays the images at the location onthe chair as previously shown to the user.

In an example embodiment, locations of objects and/or areas are storedalong with information, including but not limited to information abouttheir size, shape, availability, suitability, and other information. Forexample, a location for a chair includes one or more of the followinginformation: GPS coordinates of the chair (or other identifyinginformation as to the location or identification of the chair), adescription of the chair (e.g., including its shape, its materials, itsstyle, etc.), a picture of the chair, availability of the chair (e.g.,whether the chair is occupied with a person or with an image, how long auser can use the chair to receive an image during a communication, timerestraints or time restrictions with the chair, etc.), suitability ofthe chair (e.g., whether the chair is large enough to accommodate animage or images, has a suitable noise level at its location, etc.), anorientation of the chair (e.g., which direction the chair faces), a listof objects or people proximate to the chair (e.g., a number of peoplepresent in a vicinity of the chair), an identification of the locationof the chair (e.g., identify the name of a building, store, house,office, or other location where the chair exists), and a cost of usingthe chair (e.g., a cost to rent the space on the chair to accommodate animage during a communication).

This information about the objects and/or areas can be processed,mapped, and stored (such as stored on an individual HPED and/or storedon a server or other electronic device). Furthermore, the informationcan be shared (such as transmitted over a private wireless peer-to-peernetwork from one HPED to another HPED or transmitted to a central serverthat HPEDs access).

Consider an example in which an electronic device determines a suitableand available location of empty space to accommodate an image during afuture conference call that will take place for one hour starting at1:00 p.m. on June 20th. The electronic device designates this space asunavailable between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on June 20th and providesthis information to other electronic devices and/or a server that storesinformation about objects and/or areas. Before or during the conferencecall, other electronic devices and users are aware that the area isunavailable during the designated time. Dissemination of thisinformation prevents another electronic device and/or user fromattempting to use the area during the designated time and/oraccidentally disrupting use of the location. For example, another useris preparing to walk through the location or sit at the location duringthe conference call, and an electronic device of this other userprovides a visual or audio warning or notification that the location isbeing used. As another example, an electronic device of another userdisplays a map that shows the location marked with a visual indicationthat notifies the other user that this location is being used toaccommodate an image during a conference call.

Consider an example in which a display of an electronic device displaysareas proximate to a user as being available or unavailable. Theelectronic device displays these areas with a visual indication of theiravailability status (such as displaying areas with different colors,different shapes, indicia, text, etc. to notify a user of theiravailability status). For instance, a display simultaneously displaysthree-dimensional (3D) images of empty spaces that are available toinclude the image of a person during a call and 3D images of emptyspaces that are occupied with 3D images from other electronic devicesand hence not available to include the image of the person during thecall. These images appear to the user as virtual objects or virtualimages.

Consider an example in which a first user desires to wirelesslycommunication over one or more networks with a second user. Anelectronic device of the first user identifies an object that isproximate to a location of the electronic device and/or the first userof the electronic device. The electronic device further determineswhether an empty space on the object is occupied with another imageduring a communication between other electronic devices and other users.When the object is not occupied with another image, the electronicdevice of the first user displays a 3D image that represents the seconduser in the empty space on the object. This image appears to be thesecond user, and the first user talks to the image as if the second userwere actually located and oriented on the object as the image is locatedand oriented.

An electronic device can select an object and/or an area to display orto project an image based on different factors. By way of example, suchfactors include, but are not limited to, an arbitrary location proximateto the user (e.g., a location within two to eight feet of the user), alocation based on user preferences, a location based on previous orhistorical user selections, a predetermined location (e.g., in front ofthe user or to a side of the user), a location based on a direction ofgaze of the user (e.g., a location along a line of sight of a user), alocation in a field of view of the user, a location within apredetermined or specified distance from the user or an electronicdevice, a location selected by a user, a location based on objectrecognition, a location based on area or space recognition, a locationbased on suitability and/or availability, a location based on cost(e.g., cost to rent or use an empty space or an object), and anotherfactor discussed herein.

FIG. 3 is a method to select an object and/or an area for acommunication from multiple different objects and/or areas.

Block 300 states determine characteristics of objects and/or areas thatare proximate to a user and that are suitable and/or available for acommunication.

By way of example, the characteristics include, but are not limited to,a size of the object and/or area, a shape of the object and/or area, anidentification of the object and/or area, a description of the objectand/or area, a distance from the user to the object and/or area, a noiselevel at the object and/or area, ambient conditions at the object and/orarea, whether the object and/or area is occupied with another person,whether another person is proximate to the object and/or area, costs touse or rent the object and/or area, user preferences, previous userselections of objects and/or areas, and other factors or characteristicsdiscussed herein.

Block 310 states compare the characteristics of the different objectsand/or areas.

For example, each object and/or area includes a tally, a weight, or ascore with respect to each of the characteristics. A comparison isperformed with respect to one or more of the characteristics of each ofthe objects and/or areas.

Block 320 states select one of the objects and/or areas based on thecomparison of the characteristics of the objects and/or areas with eachother.

By way of example, selection of an object and/or area over other objectsand/or areas is based on scores of the objects and/or areas (e.g.,select an object and/or area with a best or highest score), an existenceof a characteristic (e.g., select an object and/or area that includes acertain characteristic), and missing a characteristic (e.g., select anobject and/or area that does not include a certain characteristic).

Block 330 states process the selection of the object and/or area.

By way of example, process includes, but is not limited to, display,store, map, build, transmit, and/or execute.

Consider an example in which an electronic device includes a locationrecommender that determines different characteristics of objects andareas that are proximate to a user and/or the electronic device. Thelocation recommender stores or maintains a list of recommended,preferred, available, and/or suitable objects and/or areas as the usermoves from one location to another location. When the electronic devicecommences a communication (such as initiates a communication withanother electronic device or receives a communication from anotherelectronic device), the location recommender provides an immediaterecommendation or selection of an object and/or an area for an imageduring the communication.

In an example embodiment, location recommenders of different electronicdevices share data with each other. Consider an example in which a firstelectronic device of a first person includes a location recommender thatgathers location information while the first electronic device and firstperson are located in a northern section of a large shopping mall. Asecond electronic device of a second person includes a locationrecommender that gathers location information while the secondelectronic device and second person are located in a southern section ofthe shopping mall. These two electronic devices share information via apeer-to-peer network or via a central or common server. When the firstperson walks to the southern section of the shopping mall, the firstelectronic device already has a map of locations of suitable andavailable locations for placing images during a communication. Likewise,when the second person walks to the northern section of the shoppingmall, the second electronic device already has a map of locations ofsuitable and available locations for placing images during acommunication.

An example embodiment can select an object and/or area based on one ormore factors other than or in addition to the characteristics of theobject and/or area. For example, such factors include, but are notlimited to, an identification of the person with whom the user iscommunicating, content or context of the communication, a location ofthe user and/or the person with whom the user is communicating, a makeor model or type of electronic device of the user and/or the person withwhom the user is communicating, a time of day, a day of the week, acalendar date, a desired level of privacy of the communication, an ageof the user and/or the person with whom the user is communicating, arelationship between the user and the person with whom the user iscommunicating, a length of time or duration of the communication, a sizeor shape of the image, and other factors or characteristics discussedherein.

Consider an example in which an electronic device of a user receives anincoming telephone call from a friend with another electronic device. Alocation recommender determines two possible locations to display animage of the friend during the telephone call. In a first location, thefriend would be displayed to stand in front of the user during thetelephone call. In a second location, the friend would be displayed tosit in an empty chair next to the user during the telephone call. Bothlocations are available and have sufficient size and shape toaccommodate an image of the friend. The location recommender selects thesecond location over the first location since the caller is a friend ofthe user, and the conversation is predicted to endure for severalminutes or longer. The second location is selected also based on thefact that the user is sitting in a chair next to the empty chair, andthe location recommender desires to match an orientation of the friendwith an orientation of the user (i.e., it is preferred to have the imageof the friend sitting during the call since the user is also sittingduring the call).

FIG. 4 is a method to display a preview of an image during acommunication.

Block 400 states display to a user a preview of an image at a locationthat represents a person for a communication before the communicationcommences.

For example an electronic device of a user displays the image to alocation in empty space before the communication commences between twoor more people. The preview of the image shows the user on thecommunication where the image will be placed during the communicationand what image will be displayed to represent the other person duringthe communication. The preview can include other information including,but not limited to, a name of the person (e.g., a name of a caller), apicture of the person (e.g., a picture, image, or video of the caller),a location of the person (e.g., where the caller is located), a time ofday, other available and/or suitable locations to include the image,information about the person (e.g., personal information about thecaller), and other information.

When an electronic device receives an incoming call, the electronicdevice notifies the user of the incoming call (such as vibrating orgenerating a ring tone). In an example embodiment, the electronic devicedisplays an image that represents the other person (e.g., the caller) tonotify the user of a pending call (e.g., an incoming or outgoing call).The electronic device displays the image at the location or a possiblelocation where the image will be displayed when the call commences. Assuch, the user has a preview of the caller and the location.

Consider an example in which a WED of a user receives a phone call froma friend. Instead of generating a ring tone or in addition to generatingthe ring tone, the WED displays an image of the friend. This image ofthe friend is oriented and sized to appear in a doorway that is locatedin front of the user. If the user accepts the call, then the user talksto the image in the doorway and hence to the friend. Alternatively, ifthe user rejects the call, then the image of the friend in the doorwaydisappears.

Block 410 makes a determination as to whether the user accepts thepreview of the image at the location for the communication. If theanswer is “yes” then flow proceeds to block 420 that states display tothe user the image at the location during the communication. If theanswer is “no” then flow proceeds to block 430 that states display tothe user the image at a different location during the communication.

If the user accepts the preview location, then the communicationproceeds with the image at the preview location. If the user does notaccept the preview location, then the communication proceeds with theimage at a different location. Alternatively, the communication can endor not be accepted (e.g., the call is rejected, sent to voicemail,etc.).

Consider an example in which an electronic device of a user receives anincoming request for a video call from another electronic device of hisbrother. The user stands in a room next to an empty chair. Instead ofringing, the electronic device displays an image of the brother, andthis image appears to the user to be located on the chair next to theuser. If the user accepts the incoming request, then the video callproceeds with the image of the brother being displayed to appear on thechair. The user talks to this image that represents the calling party(i.e., the brother). During the conversation, a friend of the user walksinto the room and sees the user talking to an empty chair that is nextto the user. The friend does not see the image of the brother since theimage appears to the user and not to others.

Consider still the example in which the user receives a call from hisbrother. Instead of accepting the incoming request at the previewlocation, the user selects a couch as a different or alternate locationfor the call. The couch is located near the user, and the video callsproceeds with the image of the brother being displayed to appear on thecouch.

In an example embodiment, an electronic device includes a user interfacethat interacts with or interfaces with the user to accept, to change, toreject, or to move an image and/or a location for the image for acommunication. As an example, an electronic device places a previewimage at a location to notify a user of an incoming and to show the userwhere the image representing the calling person will be placed if theincoming call is accepted or answered. The user provides a voiceinstruction, a hand gesture, or otherwise interacts with the electronicdevice to instruct the electronic device to accept the call at thelocation, reject the call, or accept the call but move the image toanother location. The user and/or electronic device can select analternate location for the image.

Consider an example in which a user wears electronic glasses andinitiates a phone call to another person. The electronic glasses displaya preview of a 3D image of the other person in empty space near the userbefore commencing the communication between electronic glasses of theuser and the other person that is remote from the user. The electronicglasses determine whether the user accepts the preview of the 3D imageat the location in the empty space and displays the 3D image in theempty space when the user accepts the preview of the 3D image.

FIG. 5 is a method to display an image at a location to show a callhistory of a prior communication.

Block 500 states store a location of where an image that represents aperson appeared to a user during a communication between the user andthe person.

During a communication between the user and the person, an image thatrepresents the person exists for the user at a location (such as alocation in empty space, on or near an object, as an object, etc.). Anelectronic device determines and/or stores this location of where theimage existed or where the image appeared to exist to the user. Theelectronic device can also store other information associated with orrelated to the communication including, but not limited to, the imagethat represented the person during the communication, a location of theuser during the communication, an orientation of the image during thecommunication, a location of the person during the communication, thelocation of rejected or accepted locations during the communication,call history information, an audio and/or video recording of the call,and other information discussed herein.

Block 510 states display the image that represents the person at thelocation to show a call history of the communication between the userand the person.

The electronic device stores a location of where a user made a call anda location of where the image representing the other person was locatedduring the call. This information is included in a call history orcommunication history for the user.

Consider an example in which an electronic device of a user makes afirst communication in which the user calls his friend while the user isin a family room of his house. The communication lasts for severalminutes, and the electronic device displays an image of the friend tothe user on a chair located in the family room. Later that day, theelectronic device of the user makes a second communication in which theuser calls his father while the user is in the family room of his house.The communication lasts for an hour, and the electronic device displaysan image of the father to the user on a sofa located in the family room.During the next day, the user reviews a call log or communicationhistory of calls to and/or from the electronic device. The electronicdevice displays the image of the friend on the chair and the image ofthe father on the couch to show these two calls. The electronic devicecan display other information as well including, but not limited to, animage of the user to show where the user was located during eachcommunication, movement of the user or different locations of the userduring each communication, movement of the image or different locationsof the image during the communication, a time of the communication, adate of the communication, a duration of the communication, a replay ofthe communication (such as replaying audio and/or video of thecommunication), and other information discussed herein.

Consider an example in which an electronic device includes a locationmodule that stores locations of objects and/or areas that previouslyincluded images of people with whom a user engaged in previouscommunications with the electronic device. These images and theirlocations are stored as part of a call history. Later, the images arereproduced or re-displayed to appear at their respective locations so auser can see where these images appeared during prior communications.

Consider an example in which an electronic device of a user receives aphone call from a person while the user is located in an office. Duringthe phone call, a display of the electronic device displays or projectsan image that represents the person such that the person appears to bestanding in front of a desk in the office. The user talks to the imageof the person and the call ends. The electronic device stores or recordsa coordinate or Global Positioning System (GPS) position of the locationof the image in front of the desk and other information associated withor related to the call. Several weeks later, the user returns to theoffice and interacts with the electronic device to retrieve a callhistory that shows the previous call with the person. The electronicdevice displays the person such that the person appears to be standingin front of the desk in the office. An orientation and location of theimage of the person emulate or copy the orientation and location of theimage of the person during the call that occurred several weeks earlier.Upon seeing the image of the person standing in front of the desk, theuser remembers the call and talking with the person. Thus, the visualreproduction of the image at the same location assists the user inremembering the call.

FIG. 6 is a method to display multiple locations to place an imageduring a communication.

Block 600 states display a plurality of objects and/or areas to receivean image for a communication before the image is placed.

In an example embodiment, an electronic device simultaneously displays aplurality of different objects and/or areas that are available and/orsuitable to receive an image during a communication. As one example, theobjects and/or areas are highlighted, marked, identified, visuallydistinguished, or shown on the display so a user can see what objectsare available and/or suitable to receive an image. Further, areas can beshown so a user can not only visually identify or locate the area butalso visually determine a size and/or shape of the areas. For instance,a 3D perimeter or outline on the display shows a size and a shape of anavailable and/or suitable area.

In an example embodiment, the areas are displayed or identified beforethey receive an image. Objects can also be identified as being suitableand/or available for an image before the image is placed at, on, or nearan object.

Consider an example in which a user desires to conduct a telephone callwith two other people and enters a large coffee shop that includesseated and standing customers, couches, benches, and various sets oftables and chairs. With a naked eye, the user cannot determine whichobjects and/or areas are available to receive an image of the two otherpeople during the telephone call since some areas may be taken,reserved, or otherwise not available. An electronic device of the usercommunicates with a server and/or other electronic devices in the coffeeshop and retrieves a map that shows available areas and/or objects forthe communication. For example, the map includes locations of the areas,sizes of the areas, shapes of areas, times that the areas are available,and other information discussed herein. The map can also identify whichobjects located in the coffee shop are available to receive an image fora communication. The electronic device displays this map to the user sothe user can see where the areas and objects are located in the coffeeshop and also see a size and shape of the areas. Since the area willinclude images of two other people during the telephone call, the userselects one of the areas and reserves this area for the telephone call.Alternatively, the use could select one or more available objects (suchas reserving two chairs at a table).

Block 610 states determine a selection of one of the plurality ofobjects and/or areas to receive the image for the communication.

An electronic device and/or a user select one or more of the objectsand/or areas for the communication. For example, the electronic deviceautomatically selects an object (e.g., a chair) or an area (e.g., alocation near a window or an area on a flat surface or wall) where animage of a caller will be shown during the communication. As anotherexample, the user interacts with the electronic device to select one ormore of the objects and/or areas.

Block 620 states display the selected object and/or area to the user.

An electronic device displays the selected object and/or area so theuser and/or other people can see one or more of its location, size,shape, coordinates, cost, time available, time unavailable, distancefrom the user, and other information discussed herein.

By way of example, when an object is selected, a visual indicationappears on a display of an electronic device to notify a user that theobject is selected. For instance, a user interacts with an electronicdevice to select a table and a chair that are located in a room.Thereafter, when a camera in an electronic device captures the table andthe chair, a display of the electronic device shows a visual indicationof the selection of the table and the chair. For instance, a perimeterof the table and the chair are highlighted with color. As anotherexample, an arrow or other visual indication on the display points tothe table and chair to indicate their selection. As yet another example,a display or view of the camera shows the selection of the table andchair. For instance, when a user looks thru the camera and sees thetable and the chair, they are visually marked to indicate the selection.

Consider an example in which a user desires to call his friend while ina crowded shopping center. The user is not certain where to place thiscall since the shopping center has many people and someone would likelywalk thru or occupy the area where an image of his friend is beingdisplayed. An electronic device of the user displays locations where theuser can stand or sit and place the call. These locations include or areproximate to areas where the electronic device will display or projectthe image of the friend during the call.

People may desire to talk to each other while both parties to thecommunication are in a similar or a same orientation. For example,during the communication, both people are standing, sitting, orperforming a similar activity (e.g., both people are walking; bothpeople are jogging; both people are riding a bicycle; both people aresitting in a car; both people are standing next to each other; etc.).

One example embodiment orients an image of a person to a communicationso both parties to the communication are in a similar or sameorientation. A first person on the communication views an image of asecond person on the communication such that the image of the secondperson matches the orientation and/or activity of the first person. Atthe same time, the second person on the communication views an image ofa first person on the communication such that the image of the firstperson matches the orientation and/or activity of the second person. Assuch, the first person sees an image of the second person with anorientation and/or activity that matches the first person, and thesecond person sees an image of the first person with an orientationand/or activity that matches the second person.

FIG. 7 is a method to match an orientation of an image with anorientation of a person during a communication.

Block 700 states determine an orientation and/or activity of a firstperson during a communication between the first person and a secondperson.

By way of example, an electronic device measures and/or senses anorientation and/or activity of a person. For instance, an electronicdevice on the person measures and/or senses one or more of aninclination of the person, a direction of movement of the person, adirection of gaze of the person, a direction that the person is facing,a rate of movement of the person, a height of the person from theground, and movement of the person. As another example, the electronicdevice captures images of the person and/or a surrounding location ofthe person and utilizes imagery analysis to determine an orientationand/or activity of the person. As another example, GPS location orlocation identification indicates an orientation and/or activity of theperson.

Consider an example in which an electronic device includes anorientation and/or activity determiner or module that includes one ormore of a compass, an accelerometer or acceleration monitor, a GPSlocator, a physiology monitor (e.g., a monitor that measures heart rate,breathing, body temperature, etc.), a light sensor, a temperaturesensor, a color sensor, rotational vector sensor, gravity sensor, aphotometer sensor, activity monitor (e.g., a wearable sensor), anactivity recognizer (e.g., a sensor and/or camera, such as in an HPED),a pedometer, a proximity sensor, an orientation sensor, a geomagneticfield sensor, a fitness tracker, magnetometer, barometric sensor, agyroscope, an inertia measuring sensor, and other monitors and sensors.

Block 710 states match an orientation and/or activity of the image ofthe second person to the orientation and/or activity of the firstperson.

The image of the second person is altered, modified, processed,corrected, rotated, updated, or built so it matches an orientationand/or activity of the first person. If the image already matches anorientation and/or activity of the first person, then changes oralterations to the image may not occur.

Block 720 states display the image of the second person proximate to thefirst person during the communication such that the orientation and/oractivity of the image of the second person match the orientation and/oractivity of the first person.

During the communication, the orientation and/or activity of the imageof the second person matches, resembles, copies, and/or emulates theorientation and/or activity of the first person. This image exists orappears to exist proximate to the person to the communication (e.g., animage of the second person appears to exist next to or near to the firstperson to the communication).

Consider an example in which a first person (who is standing) telephonesa second person (who is sitting). An electronic device of the firstperson determines that the first person is standing and hence displaysan image of the second person to be standing next to the first personduring the telephone call. At the same time, an electronic device of thesecond person determines that the second person is sitting and hencedisplays an image of the first person to be sitting next to the secondperson during the telephone call.

Consider an example in which a first person (who is walking outdoors ina compass direction of North) telephones a second person (who is eatingdinner). An electronic device of the first person determines that thefirst person is walking in the direction of North and displays an imageof the second person to be walking next to the first person during thetelephone call. The image of the second person walks outdoors in thecompass direction of North so both the first person and the image of thesecond person face and walk in the direction of North.

An electronic device of the first person determines that the firstperson is waling in the direction of North and displays an image of thesecond person to be walking next to the first person during thetelephone call. The image of the second person walks outdoors in thecompass direction of North so both the first person and the image of thesecond person face and walk in the direction of North.

An example embodiment makes a determination as to whether an objectand/or area exist such that the orientation and/or activity of the imageof the second person can match the orientation and/or activity of thefirst person. If the orientation and/or activity cannot be matched, thenthe image of the second person is displayed with an alternateorientation and/or activity.

Consider an example in which a first person sits in an office andreceives an incoming telephone call from a second person. An electronicdevice of the first person is configured with a preference to orientateimages of incoming calls to match an orientation of the first person.The office, however, does not include an empty chair or other object onwhich to position a sitting image of the second person. In this case,the electronic device places an image of the second person to bestanding in front of the first person sitting on the chair.Alternatively, the electronic device provides an image of chair, andplaces the image of the second person to be sitting in the image of thechair.

FIG. 8 is a method to move an image to a different location during acommunication.

Block 800 states display, during a communication between two people, animage that appears to exist at a location proximate to one of the twopeople.

While electronic devices of the two people communicate with each other,an electronic device of one person displays or provides an image thatrepresents the other person. For example, the electronic device of theone person presents this image to exist at a location that is proximateto the one person. For instance, the image appears on or thru a see-thrudisplay of the electronic device of the one person. As another example,the electronic device projects the image or provides a virtual image ofthe person.

Block 810 states determine an event with respect to the location and/orthe communication.

For example, an electronic device determines the occurrence of an eventat or near the location or during the communication. Events include, butare not limited to, one or more of an electronic device determining aperson, animal, or thing moving to or near the location (e.g., a personwalking into a space that includes the location), the location movingout of a field of view (e.g., the location moves out of a field of viewto a person participating in the communication), occurrence of a timeperiod (e.g., expiration of a predetermined amount of time),instructions from a user (e.g., a user interacts with the electronicdevice to move the location), cost or fee (e.g., a charge for using thelocation causes the electronic device to move the image to a freelocation or less expensive location), noise (e.g., excess noise at thelocations causes the electronic device to move the location to a quieterplace), lighting (e.g., excessive brightness or low lighting causes theelectronic device to move the location), privacy (e.g., the electronicdevice moves the location because third parties not participating in thecommunication can hear the conversation of the participating parties),ambient conditions (e.g., the electronic devices moves the location dueto unwanted wind, temperature, heat, cold, etc.), and inadequatereception or communication quality (e.g., the electronic devices movesthe location to improve the sound and/or video quality of thecommunication).

Block 820 makes a determination as to whether an event threshold occurswith respect to the event. If the answer to this determination is “no”then flow proceeds to block 830 that states maintain the image at thelocation. If the answer to this determination is “yes” then flowproceeds to block 840 that states move the image to a differentlocation.

Occurrence of an event threshold causes movement of the image from onelocation to another location. The event threshold can occursimultaneously or concurrently with the event. Alternatively, the eventthreshold can occur after the event.

As one example, an electronic device moves the location where the imageappears when another person moves into the location. For instance,during a telephone call, an image of a caller appears on an empty chairthat is located in a room. A third party (not a party to thecommunication) is unaware that an image is being displayed to appear onthe empty chair, sits on the chair, and blocks or disrupts the imagefrom being displayed to sit on the chair. The electronic device movesthe image upon the occurrence of the event (i.e., upon the occurrence ofthe third party sitting on the chair, the electronic device moves theimage to another chair that is empty). Alternatively, the electronicdevice could move the image after the occurrence of a time period. Forinstance, after the third party sits on the chair, the electronic devicewaits for a period of time to see if the third party will move. If thethird party does not move after expiration of the period of time, thenmove the image to a new location (e.g., move the image to a new locationafter expiration of time, such as after ten seconds or twenty seconds orthirty seconds or one minute).

As another example, a user sits at a desk and wears electronic glasseswith a see-thru display. During a phone call, these glasses display animage of a caller that appears to be located in front of the desk. Theuser, however, moves his head to his right until the location of thecaller in front of the desk is no longer in a field of view of the user.In response to this movement and image no longer appearing in the fieldof view, the electronic glasses immediately move the location of theimage to be next to the desk so the image at its new location is in thefield of view of the user. Alternatively, the electronic glasses do notmove the location of the image, or they move the location of the imageafter expiration of a predetermined amount of time.

As another example, an electronic device of a first user displays orprojects an image that represents a second user during a voice and videocommunication between the two users. This image appears next to thefirst user (e.g., analogous to two people standing next to each otherduring a conversation). When the first user moves, the location of theimage also moves such that the image tracks or follows the first user.The image continues to appear to be next to the first user (e.g.,analogous to two people walking side-by-side and talking to each other).

As another example, an image of a person appears at a first locationduring a communication. A user moves his hand (e.g., an event), and anelectronic device determines this movement as a hand gesture thatinstructs the electronic device to move the image from the firstlocation to a second location that is indicated in the hand gesture.

As another example, a microphone on a smart phone captures sound levelsat different locations and maps these sound levels to the locations.When the sound level at current location exceeds a decibel thresholdduring a communication, the electronic device recommends a new ordifferent location with a sound level below the threshold.

FIG. 9 is a method to determine an object to display during acommunication.

Block 900 states determine an object to include during a communicationbetween a first person and a second person.

During a communication between the first person and the second person,an electronic device with the first person displays an image thatrepresents the second person at a location near the first person. Theimage that represents the second person can include one or more objects.An electronic device can determine whether or not to display such anobject or objects and determine which object or objects to include alongwith the image that represents the second person.

By way of example, the object is selected randomly, selected perinstructions from a user (such as the first and/or second person),obtained from a database of images or video, selected based onselections from previous or historical communications, captured fromvideo of a field of view of a user, selected based on a location of auser, selected based on an activity of a user, selected as beingassociated with a user, identified as being at or near a location of auser, selected to emulate or copy a user, or selected in another manner.

Block 910 states obtain an image of the object.

For example, an electronic device captures an image of the object; theobject is retrieved from memory or storage; or an electronic devicebuilds or generates the image of the object.

Consider an example in which the first and second persons engage in atelephone call. A camera in an electronic device of the second personcaptures an image of the second person sitting in a chair in an office.The image is edited to remove a background of the office so an editedversion of the image includes the second person sitting in the chairwith other objects removed. The electronic device provides this image ofthe second person sitting in the chair to the electronic device of thefirst person, and this image is displayed to the first person.

Block 920 states display the image of the object and an image thatrepresents the first and/or second person with the image of the objectduring the communication between the first and second persons.

Consider an example in which the first person rides a bicycle andinitiates a phone call to the second person. An electronic device of thefirst person determines that the first person is riding a bicycle,retrieves an image of the second person, retrieves an image of abicycle, and generates an image of the second person on the bicycle.During the phone call, the electronic device displays an image of thesecond person the bicycle while the first person rides his bicycle.Thus, from the point of view or field of view of the first person, thefirst person talks to the second person while both the first and secondpersons ride bicycles.

Consider an example in which an electronic device includes an objectrecognition module that identifies objects with or proximate to a user.An image of a user is superimposed onto or edited to include the object,and the image is displayed to a user.

Consider an example in which a camera of an electronic device of a firstuser captures an image of a chair before the first user sits in thechair. The electronic device then initiates a call to a second user buta real-time image of the second user or her location is not available.The electronic device retrieves an archive or stored image of the seconduser, executes photographing editing software to position the image ofthe second user on the chair, and displays the image to the first userduring the call. From a point of view of the first user, the first usertalks to the second user while the second user sits in a chair similarto the chair in which the first user also sits.

FIG. 10 is a method to adjust a size of an image based on a distance.

Block 1000 states determine a distance from a person to an object and/oran area where an image is displayed or will be displayed to appear tothe person.

An electronic or mechanical device measures a distance from the personand/or from an electronic device to the object and/or the area. By wayof example, an electronic device includes a distance module or distancedeterminer that includes one or more of a laser, a sensor, arangefinder, a scope, a camera, a GPS determiner, a radio transmitterand/or receiver, or another electronic device to measure or determinedistance.

The electronic or mechanical device used to measure distance can be aseparate device (such as a standalone device) or device integrated withor attached to another electronic device. For example, electronic and/ormechanical devices in one or more of a wearable electronic device (WED),handheld portable electronic device (HPED), computer, server, and asatellite determine a distance to an object and/or area.

Block 1010 states display the image with a size based on the distance tothe object and/or the area.

By way of example, image size is inversely proportional to objectdistance and directly proportional to focal length. As a distancebetween a user and the object and/or the area increases, the image sizeof the object and/or the area decreases. As the distance between theuser and the object and/or the area decreases, the image size of theobject and/or the area increases. As another example, the size of theobject and/or the area relates to a distance of the electronic deviceand/or person to the object and/or the area.

Images can also be displayed based on a range of distances. For example,images are displayed with a first size given distances in a first range;images are displayed with a second size given distances in a secondrange; images are displayed with a third size given distances in a thirdrange; etc. As another example, images are displayed with apredetermined size (e.g., a size that remains constant or a size thatchanges). As another example, the size of the displayed image isproportional to or relates to the distance of the electronic device tothe location where the image appears to exist to the viewer.

Block 1020 makes a determination as to whether the distance from theperson to the object and/or area changes. If the answer to thisdetermination is “no” then flow proceeds to block 1030, and the size ofthe image is maintained based on the distance. If the answer todetermination is “yes” then flow proceeds to block 1040, and the size ofthe image is adjusted based on the changed distance.

Consider an example in which a user sits at a table with chairs. One ofthe chairs is empty or unoccupied and is across the table in front ofthe user. The user holds an electronic device (such as a tablet computeror a smart phone) with a camera that captures video of the empty chair.A display on the electronic device displays this video such that theuser sees the empty chair on the display while holding the electronicdevice. The electronic device also includes a distance module thatdetermines a distance to the empty chair and an image placement modulethat selects the empty chair as a location to place an image of a friendof the user during a telephone call. When the user telephones hisfriend, the electronic device places images of the friend to appear onthe chair and adjusts sizes of these images in proportion to thedistance to the chair. During the phone call, the user holds theelectronic device such that the camera captures video of the chair whilethe display simultaneously displays images (pictures or video) of thefriend such that the friend appears to be sitting on the chair. A sizeof the friend is proportional to the distance to the chair and a size ofthe friend. From the point of view of the user, the user sees on thedisplay his friend sitting on the chair across the table. The chair andtable are real (i.e., they actually exist near the user), and the imageof the friend is not real (i.e., it exists on or thru the display of theelectronic device).

An example embodiment adjusts the size of the image in real-time tocoincide with changes in distance from the user to the object and/orarea. For example, as a user moves away from a location in empty spacewhere an image appears to exist on a display of a WED or a HPED of theuser, a size of the image becomes smaller. As the user moves toward thelocation in empty space where the image appears to exist on the displayof the WED or the HPED, the size of the image becomes larger.

FIG. 11 is a method to display an indication of a location of an image.

Block 1100 states display, on an electronic device of a first person andduring a communication between the first person and a second person, animage that represents the second person and that appears to exist at alocation proximate to the first person.

While the electronic device of the first person communicates with anelectronic device of the second person, a display on the electronicdevice of the first person displays or generates an image thatrepresents the second person. This image appears to exist at a physicallocation that is proximate to the first person.

Block 1110 makes a determination as to whether the image at the locationproximate to the first person is out of a field of view (FOV) of thefirst person and/or the electronic device of the first person. If theanswer to this determination is “no” then flow proceeds to block 1120,and the image is maintained at the location. If the answer to thisdetermination is “yes” then flow proceeds to block 1130, and theelectronic device of the first person takes an action in response to theimage at the location being out of the field of view of the first personand/or the electronic device.

When the field of view of the user and/or the electronic device nolonger includes the object and/or location where the image appears, thenthe electronic device initiates an action. By way of example, thisaction includes, but is not limited to, provide a notification that theimage is not within the field of view (e.g., display a notice or providean audible sound or warning), display an indication of the location ofthe image, automatically move the image to a different object and/orlocation within the field of view, resize the image, alter or move thefield of view to include the object and/or location where the imageexists (such as changing a camera angle or moving an electronic devicetoward the object and/or location), commence a timer or clock, altersound emanating from the electronic device, discontinue a mode ofoperation that displays an image to appear at an object and/or location(such as temporarily or permanently stopping the mode of operation),display the image or a different image on the electronic device so theimage appears in front of the user, move the image to a perimeter of thefield of view, display a smaller image (such as displaying a thumbnailof the image), or take an action that notifies the user that the fieldof view does not include the object and/or location where the imageexisted.

By way of example, the electronic device provides an indication that theimage or the location where the image appears to exist is not currentlyin the field of view of the user and/or the electronic device. Thisindication includes, but is not limited to, a compass direction of wherethe object and/or location with the image is located, a headingproviding a direction or location where the object and/or location withthe image is located, an arrow or pointer pointing or showing where theobject and/or location with the image is located, an image notifying theuser, a map showing where the object and/or location with the image islocated, text providing a notice or instructions where the object and/orlocation with the image is located, blinking or flashing light, asymbol, an object, indicia, or visual indication. The indication canalso include an audio indication and other information relating to theobject, the image, and/or the location (such a distance to the objectand/or location, a direction showing which way to look or move a head toplace the object and/or location back into the field of view, a volumelevel of the other party to the communication, a thumbnail of the image,and a scaled or smaller view of the image).

Consider an example in which a user wears electronic glasses thatdisplay an image of a caller at a location during a phone call. Theimage of the caller appears to be standing in a doorway that is locatedin front of the user. As the user moves his head, the image remainsstanding in the doorway while the doorway is in a field of view of theuser while the user looks through the electronic glasses. When the userturns his head far enough to one side, the doorway is no longer in hisfield of view. At this moment, the user can no longer see the imagesince the image exists in the doorway. The electronic glasses display anindication to notify the user that the image is no longer in a field ofview of the user. This indication also provides the user with a locationand/or direction of where to look in order to see the image. Forinstance, an arrow on the display of the electronic glasses informs theuser to look toward his right that is in the direction of the doorway.When the user turns his head back to the doorway, the image reappears onor thru the display and the arrow disappears.

Consider an example in which an electronic device includes a field ofview (FOV) module that determines a direction of a field of view of theelectronic device and/or the user. For example, the FOV moduledetermines which direction the electronic device is pointed or aimed orwhich direction a head of a user and/or eyes of a user are directed. TheFOV module also determines which objects are in the field of view. Whenthe field of view no longer includes the object and/or the locationwhere the image appears to exist, then a display displays an indicationof a location of the object and/or image. For example, the displayinstructs the user to move his head or to move the electronic device ina particular direction to adjust the field of view to include the image.

An example embodiment includes a timer, a clock, or a clock module thattracks how long the field of view does not include the object and/orlocation with the image. An action commences upon expiration of apredetermined time (such as upon reaching three seconds, five seconds,ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, two minutes, or another amountof time). A display of the electronic device displays an indication thatthe location of the image will change to a different location that is inthe field of view. This indication can include a clock or timer (such asa visual countdown showing minutes and/or seconds when the image willrelocate). For instance, the display shows an amount of time remaininguntil the image moves to a different location and/or an amount of timethat has elapsed with the image not being in the field of view.

As one example, during a phone call between a user and his friend, theuser wears electronic glasses and moves his head such that his field ofview does not include a location in empty space where an image of hisfriend appears. A red light appears on the display of the electronicglasses to indicate that the image of the friend is no longer in thefield of view of the user. After a period of ten seconds (shown as aclock or counter on the display), the image of the friend moves to a newlocation in empty space that is within the field of view of the user.

An example embodiment moves the image in response to the field of viewmoving to not include the object and/or location with the image. Theimage moves to a different location that is within the field of view.Movement of the image can occur after a time delay or immediately whenthe image and/or location of the where the image appears to exist is notwithin the field of view. For example, when the electronic device movessuch that the field of view no longer includes the location of theimage, then the electronic device moves or repositions the location ofthe image within the field of view.

Consider an example in which a user sits at a table and holds a handheldportable electronic device (HPED) with a camera and a display thatdisplays real time video of a field of view of the camera. This field ofview includes the table where the user sits and an empty chair acrossfrom the user. When the user receives a phone call from his colleague,the HPED displays an image of his colleague sitting on the empty chair.As the HPED moves while in the hand of the user, the image of thecolleague remains positioned on the chair. When the HPED moves farenough such that the field of view of the camera does not include thechair, then the HPED takes an action. For example, the HPED repositionsthe image to a different location (such as moving the image to appear onanother chair, moving the image to appear standing at a location inempty space near the user, notifying the user, etc.).

In an example embodiment, movement of the field of view does not affectmovement of the image as long as the image remains in the field of view.When the field of view moves to a location that no longer includes theimage and/or the location of the image, then an action occurs. Forexample, when the electronic device jiggles, the image does not alsojiggle but remains stationary or unaffected by the jiggling movement.

In another example embodiment, movement of the field of view does affectmovement of the image even though the image remains in the field ofview. For example, the electronic device displays the image to remain ata constant or consistent location on the display. For instance, theelectronic device displays the image in a central location on thedisplay. When the field of view changes, the location of where the imageappears contemporaneously changes so that the image remains in thecentral location on the display.

FIG. 12 is a method to adjust an orientation of an image displayed to aperson during a communication.

Block 1200 states display, during a communication between a first personand a second person and at a location that is proximate to the firstperson, an image that represents the second person with an orientationbased on a location and/or an orientation of the first person.

The image of the second person has an orientation that is based on or inresponse to the location and/or orientation of the first person. Forexample, an orientation of the second person faces the first person oris directed toward the first person. For instance, a head and/or eyes ofthe image look at the first person.

Block 1210 makes a determination as to whether the location and/or theorientation of the first person change. If the answer to thisdetermination is “no” then flow proceeds to block 1220 that statesmaintain the location and/or orientation of the image. If the answer tothis determination is “yes” then flow proceeds to block 1230 that statesdetermine an adjustment to the location and/or orientation of the imagebased on the change to the location and/or orientation of the firstperson.

Block 1240 states display the image with the adjusted location and/ororientation.

In an example embodiment, the image moves its location and/ororientation in response to movements of the first person. In thismanner, the image tracks or follows the first person. For example, oneor more body parts of the image move (such as moving eyes of the image,rotating a head of the image, moving a torso or body of the image,etc.). A location of the image can also change (such as moving the imagefrom one location to a different location).

Consider an example in which a first person has a handheld portableelectronic device (HPED) that communicates a phone call with a secondperson that wears electronic glasses that includes or is incommunication with a location module, an image placement module, anorientation module, and a display. The image placement module determinesa location of an empty space that is proximate to the location of thesecond person and determines that the empty space is available and voidof other images from other electronic glasses. The orientation modulecommunicates with the location module and determines an orientation of aface of the first person to face the location of the second person. Thedisplay displays an image of the first person in the empty space duringthe phone call such that the orientation of the face of the image facesthe second person during the phone call. When the second person moves,the location module determines movement of the second person and theelectronic glasses away from the location of the empty space andcommunicates this movement with the orientation module. In response, theorientation module alters the orientation of the face of the image tomove and track a location of the second person while the second personmoves with respect to the location in the empty space.

Consider an example in which the electronic device determines adirection and a distance from a person to an object and/or a locationwhere the image exists. When the person moves, the direction and/ordistance change. A first adjustment to the image occurs based on thechange in distance. For example, a size of the image increases when theperson moves closer to the object and/or location, and a size of theimage decreases when the person moves farther away from the objectand/or location. A second adjustment to the image occurs based on thechange in direction. For example, one or more portions of the imagerotate or move in a direction to follow or track movement of the person.

An amount of movement or adjustment of the image can be based on anamount of movement of the person with respect to the object and/orlocation where the image exists. For example, when the person is at afirst location, the electronic device determines a first direction fromthe person at this first location to the object and/or location of theimage. When the person moves to a second location, the electronic devicedetermines a second direction from the person at this second location tothe object and/or location of the image. Movement of the person from thefirst location to the second location creates an angle that representsan amount or degree of this movement. This angle is used to calculate anamount to move, rotate, or adjust the image.

Consider an example in which a first person faces an image of a secondperson during a telephone call with the second person. Both the firstperson and the image of the second person are standing and facing eachother. A line of sight of the first person is toward the image, and aline of sight of the image is toward the first person. The first personmoves several feet and stands to one side of the image of the secondperson. A head of the image rotates ninety degrees (90°) so its line ofsight is toward the new location of the first person.

FIG. 13 is a method to display a suggestion for a location for acommunication.

Block 1300 states commence a communication between a first electronicdevice of a first person and a second electronic device of a secondperson.

The communication may have already commenced, is beginning to commence,or has not yet commenced.

Block 1310 makes a determination as to whether an object and/or areaexist proximate to the first person to place an image that representsthe second person. For example, the first electronic device determineswhether a location near the first person is available and suitable toaccommodate the image while the first and second person engage in thecommunication.

If the answer to the determination in block 1310 is “yes” then flowproceeds to block 1320 that states display the image that represents thesecond person at the object and/or area proximate to the first person.For example, the first electronic device selects an object and displaysthe image on or near the object.

If the answer to the determination in block 1310 is “no” then flowproceeds to block 1330 that states display to the first person one ormore locations as a suggestion where to move during the communicationwith the second person.

For example, the electronic device of the first person has an imageplacement determiner or module that displays suggested or alternatelocations where the first person can move for the communication. Thesesuggested locations have one or more benefits over a current location ofthe first person. As an example, a suggested location has an objectand/or area to receive the image during the call. As another example, asuggested location has a quieter environment or noise level than thecurrent location of the first person. As another example, a suggestedlocation has a better or improved factor or condition for thecommunication than the current location of the first person (such ashaving improved lighting, having less people, having improved ambientconditions, having an improved level of privacy for the communication,having available and/or suitable objects and/or areas to receive theimage or to receive the first person, having an improved condition orfactor discussed herein).

Block 1340 makes a determination as to whether the first person arrivesat one of the suggested locations. If the answer to this determinationis “yes” then flow proceeds to block 1320. If the answer to thisdetermination is “no” then flow proceeds to block 1350 that states takean action that includes one of canceling, delaying, or continuing thecommunication.

Before a communication commences or during a communication, theelectronic device displays locations where the user can move and/orwhere an image representing the other party will be or can be placed.For example, the electronic device simultaneously displays multipleareas to enable the user to select one of these areas for thecommunication.

Consider an example in which an electronic device of a user receives anincoming call while the user is in a crowded restaurant. A location nextto the user does not include an object and/or area to receive an imageof the caller, but such a location does exist in another area of therestaurant. The electronic device displays this location to the user,but the user decides not to move to that location. The call proceedswithout displaying an image of the caller to the user. Alternatively,the call proceeds with the image of the caller appearing on the displayof the electronic device but not being displayed to appear on an objector at an area next to the user.

Consider an example in which an electronic device includes an imageplacement module that determines when an object and/or area are notavailable to place an image during a communication. The image placementmodule determines multiple locations proximate to the user with anavailable and/or suitable object and/or an area for the communication.By way of example, these locations include one or more of empty spacesthat are available (such as a place to stand or sit). The electronicdevice displays these multiple different locations as suggestions towhere the user should move for or during the communication.

FIG. 14 is a method to determine a cost to use an object and/or areaduring a communication.

Block 1400 states designate an object and/or area as being available fora person and/or an image for a communication.

By way of example, an electronic device stores, transmits, broadcasts,and/or avails this designation to other electronic devices. Forinstance, a store or establishment includes a wireless network thatprovides a map or locations in the store that are available forcommunications. Alternatively, the map shows locations that are notavailable with all other locations in the store being available.

Block 1410 states determine an amount of time during a communicationthat the object and/or area are being used and/or unavailable.

By way of example, an electronic device uses an object and/or area toreceive an image during a communication. During this time, the objectand/or area are not available to other electronic devices and/or otherpersons. For instance, while an electronic device of a user displays animage on an empty chair during a communication, other users cannot sitin the chair. Further, during this time, other electronic devices cannotuse the chair for their communication.

Block 1420 states determine a cost for using the object and/or areabased on the amount of time that the object and/or area was used duringthe communication and/or unavailable.

The cost can be based on the time the object and/or area was used and/orunavailable. In addition to the time or as an alternative to the time,the cost can be based on a size and/or a location of the object and/orarea. For example, objects with a larger size have a larger associatedcost than objects with a smaller size. As another example, objectsand/or areas within a first location have a higher or lower cost thanobjects and/or areas within a second location.

Block 1430 states provide the cost to an electronic device and/or auser. For example, the cost is displayed, stored, transmitted, and/orprocessed.

Consider an example in which a coffee shop charges customers a fee whenelectronic devices of customers use or occupy an empty space with animage during a communication. For instance, a customer receives orinitiates a communication to a friend, and an electronic device of thecustomer displays an image of the friend to appear on an empty chair inthe coffee shop. The communication endures for thirty minutes. Duringthis time, a wireless network in the coffee shop notifies othercustomers and/or electronic devices of other customers not to sit in thechair or otherwise use the empty chair since it is not available. Inreturn for this right to utilize the empty chair for thirty minutes, thecoffee shop charges the customer a fee. This fee is based on the amountof time the customer used the chair.

Consider an example in which an electronic device of a user rents spaceon an empty space on a chair during a phone call. A server communicateswith the electronic device and calculates fees to rent the space. Forexample, a clock module tracks a time how long the image occupies theempty space during the phone call, and a processor calculates a cost torent the empty space based on the time how long the image occupied theempty space and a size of the empty space.

FIGS. 15A-15J show a communication between two people.

FIG. 15A shows a first location 1500 with a first person 1510 and asecond location 1520 with a second person 1530. A wearable electronicdevice (WED) 1540 on the first person 1510 communicates over a network1542 with a handheld portable electronic device (HPED) 1544 with thesecond person 1530. The first location 1500 shows a cabinet 1548, atable 1552, and an empty chair 1554 near the first person 1510. Thesecond location shows a table 1556 and vase 1558 and a stool 1559 nearthe second person 1530. The first and second locations depict a scenebefore a communication commences between the WED 1540 and the HPED 1544.

FIG. 15B shows the first and second locations after the communicationcommences between the WED 1540 and the HPED 1544. When the communicationcommences, the WED 1540 displays to the first person 1510 an image 1550that represents the second person 1530 on the empty chair 1554. At thesame time, the HPED 1544 displays to the second person 1530 an image1552 that represents the first person 1510 standing next to the table1556.

The images 1550 and 1552 are sized, shaped, colored, and/or configuredto appear to exist at their respective locations. To the first person1510, the image 1550 appears to exist at and interact with the realobjects at the location 1500.

Likewise, to the second person 1530, the image 1552 appears to exist atand interact with the real objects at the location 1520. In this manner,the first person 1510 talks to the image 1550 as if the image wereactually the second person 1530 sitting on the chair 1554, and thesecond person 1530 talks to the image 1552 as if the image were actuallythe first person 1510 standing next to the table 1556.

FIG. 15C shows a field of view 1560 of the first person through or on adisplay 1562 of the WED 1540. The field of view 1560 includes the table1552 along with the image 1550 sitting on the chair 1554. The cabinet1548 (shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B) is still at the location 1500 but isnot currently in the field of view 1560 of the first person.

FIG. 15D shows a field of view 1566 of the second person and includesthe stool 1559, the table 1556 and vase 1558, and a hand 1568 of thesecond person holding the HPED 1544. A display 1570 of the HPED 1544displays the image 1552 standing next to the table 1556 and vase 1558. Acamera 1572 in the HPED 1544 displays a real time view of the image 1552superimposed in the field of view 1566 of the second person such thatthe image 1552 appears to be standing next to the table.

As shown in FIG. 15D, the HPED 1544 crops the image captured by thecamera 1572 such that the display 1570 displays a portion of the fieldof view 1566 blocked by the body of the HPED 1544. Video or imagesdisplayed on the display 1570 are positioned and sized on the display tomatch, complete, and coincide with the real objects being captured withthe camera 1572. For example, the field of view 1566 shows a blockedportion 1580 of the table being cutoff from view due to the body of theHPED 1544. In other words, the second person 1530 is unable to see theentire table 1556 because the HPED block a portion of this table. Thisportion being blocked 1580 (i.e., an end of table 1556) is reproduced onthe display 1570 of the HPED 1544 with reproduced portion 1582.

The reproduced portion 1582 of the table 1556 matches the blockedportion 1580 and aligns with the portion of the table 1556 in the fieldof view 1566 such that the table 1556 appears to the second person 1530in its entirety. The blocked portion 1582 of the table 1556 combineswith an unblocked portion 1584 of the table 1556 to reproduce or showthe entire table 1556 to the second person 1530.

The camera may capture a field of view that is actually larger than,different than, or unequal to the portion of the field of view of theuser being blocked with the body of the HPED. An image adjustmentdeterminer or module adjusts or changes an amount of the image beingdisplayed so the display displays an amount of the captured image thatequals the amount of the field of view being blocked with the body ofthe HPED. Thus, the image adjustment determiner adjusts how much of orwhat portion of the images of the camera appear on the display. Theseadjustments coincide with or are based on how much of or what portion ofthe body of the HPED blocks the field of view of the user. When the HPEDdisplays an amount of image of the field of view of the camera to equalan amount of the field of view of the user being blocked, then theimages on the display of the HPED coincide with and align with the realobjects in the field of view of the user. As such, the user is able tosee an entirety of the objects in the field of view, including theobjects or portions of objects being blocked since these objects orportions of objects are being displayed on the display.

The HPED 1544 or an image adjustment determiner or module determines asize, an amount, and a location of images to show on the display 1570based on one or more of a location of the HPED 1544 with respect to aline of sight of the second person 1530, object recognition of objectsin the field of view, a distance from the eyes of the second person 1530to the HPED 1544, a distance from the HPED 1544 to objects in the fieldof view of the camera 1572, a size of the HPED 1544 that blocks thefield of view 1566 of the second person 1530, an angle or tilt of theHPED 1544, and a portion of the field of view of the user being blockedwith the body of the HPED.

By way of example, as an electronic device moves closer to the face of aperson, the electronic device blocks a larger portion of the field ofview of the person. As the electronic device, moves farther from theface of the person, the electronic device blocks a smaller portion ofthe field of view of the person. The image adjustment determiner crops,adjusts, or sizes images or video captured with the camera based on thisdistance.

As another example, a size of the object being blocked and a distance ofthis object from the electronic device and/or person also effects howmuch of the object is blocked with the physical body of the electronicdevice. Consider an example in which the person holds a tablet computertwo feet from his face. A body of the tablet computer blocks a portionof a chair that is in front of the person. A line of sight of the personincludes the chair, but the person is unable to see an entirety of thechair because a portion of the chair is blocked with the body of theelectronic device. As the chairs moves closer along the line of sight ofthe person, the electronic device blocks a larger portion of the fieldof view of the chair. As the chairs, moves farther along the line ofsight of the person, the electronic device blocks a smaller portion ofthe field of view of the chair.

The image adjustment determiner or module can include or communicatewith a distance determiner or module that determines distances used inmaking adjustments so the amount of image displayed represents,coincides with, or equals an amount of the field of view being blockedwith the electronic device. For example, the distance determinerdetermines one or more of a distance of the electronic device to or froma face or body of the user, a distance of the electronic device and/oruser to or from objects that are proximate to the user and/or electronicdevice.

FIG. 15E shows the field of view 1566 after the hand 1568 of the secondperson moves the HPED 1544 toward the stool 1559. A location of theimage 1552 remains stationary or fixed as being next to the table 1556in the field of view 1566. The display 1570 of the HPED 1544 cuts off orremoves a portion of the image 1552 since the camera 1572 is notdirected to the location where the image 1552 is located (i.e., thelocation next to the table 1556). In other words, the HPED 1544 is nolonger pointed at or directed toward the location of where the image1552 exists next to the table 1556 and vase 1558.

FIG. 15F shows the field of view 1566 after the hand 1568 of the secondperson moves the HPED 1544 such that the camera 1572 no longer capturesimages of the location of the table 1556 and vase 1558 and the locationof the image next to the table 1556. Instead, the camera 1572 isdirected at the empty stool, and the display 1570 displays an image orvideo 1586 of the stool. A body of the HPED 1544 blocks the secondperson from seeing the stool, so a real time image or video 1586 of thestool appears on the display 1570.

A location of the image 1586 of the stool on the display 1570 coincideswith an actual location of the real, physical stool at the secondlocation. Thus, the image 1586 of the stool appears on the display 1570with a size and a location that matches a size and a location of realstool that the second person would see if the HPED were not blocking thesecond person from seeing the real stool.

A visual indication 1588 appears on the display 1570. This visualindication notifies the second person that the display no longerincludes the image of the first person during the communication. By wayof example, the visual indication 1570 includes an arrow that points tothe location where the image exists (i.e., points to the location nextto the table 1556 where the image representing the first person wasplaced). If the second person moved his hand to adjust a view of thecamera 1572 to include this location next to the table 1556, then theimage of the first person would reappear on the display.

FIG. 15G shows the field of view 1566 in which the image 1552 reappearson the display 1570 of the HPED 1544. The image 1552 is repositioned orre-oriented to appear to be sitting on the image 1586 of the stool.Here, a location of the image 1552 moved from being initially locatednext to the table 1556 (see FIG. 15D) to being located on the stool 1559(see FIGS. 15D and 15E). Since a body of the HPED 1544 blocks the secondperson from seeing the stool 1559, the image 1586 of the stool appearson the display 1570 at the location where the stool 1559 exists.

A comparison of FIG. 15C and FIG. 15H shows that the WED 1540 moved suchthat a location of the image 1550 is at an end of the field of view 1560in FIG. 15H. The location of the image 1550 remains fixed or stationaryat its location while the WED moves. When the field of view of the WED1540 and/or first person 1510 changes, the image 1550 remains at itslocation in the field of view.

FIG. 15I shows that the field of view 1560 no longer includes thelocation of the image 1550 (see FIG. 15H) but includes the table 1552and the cabinet 1548. A visual indication 1590 indicates that the imagerepresenting the second person is no longer in the field of view. Forexample, this visual indication includes a blinking or coloredindication (such as a circle or dot) that provides a location anddirection of where image is located. Here, the visual indication 1590 islocated on a right side of the display 1562 of the WED 1540. If thefirst person moved his head toward the visual indication, then his fieldof view would simultaneously move toward or in the direction of thelocation of the image. Text of “John” appears on the display 1562 tonotify the first person that the communication is with John, and John'simage is located to a right side of a current field of view or line ofsight of the first person. The display 1562 also shows “5 sec” toindicate a time that the field of view has not included the image, atime when a location of the image will change to a place within thecurrent field of view, or another time discussed herein.

FIG. 15I includes a preview box or window 1592 that includes a smallimage 1594 that represents or emulates the image 1550. This preview boxor window appears when the field of view no longer includes the locationof the image. For example, the preview box shows an image of John (i.e.,the person with whom the user is communicating).

FIG. 15J shows the field of view 1560 in which the image 1550 reappearson the display 1562 of the WED 1540. The image 1550 is repositioned orre-oriented to appear to be standing between the cabinet 1548 and thetable 1552. Here, a location of the image 1550 moved from beinginitially located on the chair 1554 (see FIG. 15C) to being locatedbetween the cabinet 1548 and the table 1552.

FIG. 16A shows a person 1600 communicating with an image 1610 while theperson stands at a first location 1630 and the image appears at anotherlocation 1640 that is proximate to the first location. The image 1610faces or looks toward the person 1600 at the first location 1630. A gazeor line of sight 1650 of the image 1610 is directed at the person 1600.

FIG. 16B shows the person 1600 communicating with the image 1610 afterthe person 1600 moves from the first location 1630 to a second location1660 that is proximate to the location 1640 where the image 1610appears. The gaze or line of sight 1650 of the image 1650 continues tobe directed to the first location 1630 where the person 1600 wasstanding. Even though the person 1600 moved from the first location 1630to the second location 1660, the image 1610 continues to appear to lookat the first location 1630 where the person 1600 was previouslystanding.

FIG. 16C shows the person 1600 communicating with the image 1610 afterthe person 1600 moves from the first location 1630 to the secondlocation 1660 that is proximate to the location 1640 where the image1610 appears. The gaze or line of sight 1650 is directed to the person1600 standing at the second location 1660. The image thus moved orchanged the gaze or line of sight 1650 from being directed at the firstlocation 1630 to being directed at the second location 1660.

The gaze or line of sight 1650 of the image 1610 can be tied to or basedon a location of the person 1600 or another object or event. FIGS.16A-16C show a time delay occurs for when the image 1610 changes itsview while talking to the moving person 1600. Alternatively, the image1610 changes its view simultaneously with movements of the person 1600such that the gaze or line of sight 1650 tracks and follows real timemovements of the person 1600.

Consider an example in which a location tracker or determiner tracks alocation of the image and/or a location of the user. The locationtracker communicates with an image orientation module such that a gazeof the image follows or tracks a location of the person with whom theimage communicates. As the person moves to different locations, the gazeof the image moves to follow the person. For instance, a body and/orhead of the image move or rotate. Eyes of the image can also move totrack and follow the person.

Consider another example with a tracking mode of operation in which agaze of the image follows or tracks a gaze of the other person with whomthe person communicates. For example, a first person communicates with asecond person while an image of the second person appears to the firstperson. The image follows and tracks movements and orientations of thesecond person. When the second person moves his head to his left, thenthe image in turn moves its head to its left. In this manner, the secondperson controls movements, orientations, and gaze of the image.

FIG. 17 shows a location 1700 at which a person 1710 wears a wearableelectronic device 1720 that displays areas 1730 to receive an image or aperson for a communication. A field of view 1740 of the person 1710and/or wearable electronic device 1720 includes two suggested areas orlocations 1750 and 1752 that are suitable and/or available to include animage or a person during a communication. Location or area 1750 is nextto a refrigerator 1770, and location or area 1752 is on or above a bed1772. The field of view 1740 also includes a suggested area or location1754 next to the bed 1772 that is not suitable and/or available toinclude an image or a person during a communication. By way of example,the area or location 1754 includes an indication (shown as a large “X”)to indicate to the person 1710 that this area is not available and/orsuitable for receiving an image during a communication or for receivingthe person during a communication.

Consider an example in which the person 1710 desires to commence a callto a friend with the wearable electronic device 1720. During the call,the wearable electronic device 1720 will display an image thatrepresents the friend. Before the call commences or while the call iscommencing, the wearable electronic device 1720 displays a plurality ofsuggested locations 1750 and 1752 where the image of the friend could orwill appear and one or more locations 1754 where the image of the friendcannot or should not appear. The person 1710 interacts with the wearableelectronic device 1720 and selects one of these locations (e.g.,location 1750). Alternatively, the wearable electronic device selectsone of these locations and displays the image to appear at the selectedlocation.

Consider again the example in which the person 1710 desires to commencea call to the friend. The wearable electronic device 1710 displayssuggested locations 1750 and 1752 to where the person 1710 should moveduring the call. These locations are large enough to accommodate theperson and an image of the friend during the call. The wearableelectronic device 1710 also displays one or more locations 1754 that arenot suitable and/or available for the person and the image during thecall. For instance, location 1754 is too small to accommodate the person1710 and the image, is too noisy for the communication, has insufficientlighting for the communication, or has another factor that makes thelocation undesirable for the communication.

The locations 1750, 1752, and 1754 can be displayed in various ways tovisually distinguish them from other areas. For example, the areas areshown as a 2D or 3D image that represents or emulates an actual size andshape of the area. By way of illustration, area 1750 has a 3Dcylindrical shape, and area 1752 has a 3D rectangular shape. Area 1754has a 2D rectangular shape with a large “X” to indicate that this areais not recommended, suitable, and/or available for an image or theperson. The areas can be outlined or filled with light, color, indicia,text, or other visual indications to visually distinguish them to theperson.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an electronic device 1800 with a display 1810that displays a preview of an image 1820 that represents a person to acommunication before the communication with the person commences. Theimage 1820 appears in a room 1830 that includes real objects, shown as arefrigerator 1840 and a table 1850.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the image 1820 in the room 1830 appears at a firstlocation 1860 before the communication commences. A user is able to seewhat the image will look like and where the image will appear to existin the room 1830 before the communication. The user is thus able to seea preview of the image before the communication commences.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the image 1820 in the room 1830 moves from thefirst location 1860 to a second location 1870 before the communicationcommences. The image moves from the first location to the secondlocation in response to a command or instruction from a user or from anelectronic device. Arrow 1880 shows that the image moved from the firstlocation 1860 to the second location 1870.

Consider an example in which a user desires to commence a telephone callto a friend with the electronic device 1800. While the call initiates orbefore the call commences, the electronic device 1800 displays the image1820 at the first location 1860. The display 1810 shows a preview of theimage and where the image will be located during the telephone call tothe friend. The user prefers, however, to have the image appear at thesecond location 1870 and instructs the electronic device 1800 to movethe image from the first location to the second location. When thetelephone call commences between the user and the friend, the image ofthe friend appears at the second location.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show an electronic device 1900 with a display 1910that displays a call history for a user at a physical or actual location1920. By way of example, the location 1920 is in a warehouse thatincludes real objects, shown as stacked boxes 1930 and a container 1940.

FIG. 19A shows the electronic device 1900 activating a call history forthe location of the warehouse. The display 1910 displays “ActivatingCall History for Warehouse” in response to receiving an instruction orcommand to activate the call history for this location.

FIG. 19B shows the electronic device 1900 after activating the callhistory for the location of the warehouse. The display 1910 displays twocall histories 1950 and 1960 that previously occurred at the warehouse(e.g., while the electronic device 1900 and/or user of the electronicdevice was physically located at the warehouse). The call historiesprovide information about the call including, but not limited to, one ormore of an identification of the parties to the communication, alocation of the parties to the communication, a duration of thecommunication, a time and date of the communication, a location orlocations of where the image appeared during the communication, alocation or locations of where a user was located during thecommunication, replaying of a voice and/or video of the communication,and replaying of the image at its location or locations.

By way of example, call history 1950 includes an image 1970 at alocation 1975 in the warehouse where the image appeared to be locatedduring the call. The call history 1950 also includes call historyinformation that shows a person named Tony called on 1 Feb. 2015 at 9:00p.m., and the call lasted for six minutes. During that call, an image ofTony appeared at location 1975 between the stacked boxes 1930 and thecontainer 1940. The call history 1950 also includes an option to“Replay” the call. Activation of this option will replay the audio andvideo captured and/or presented during the call. Movement of the image1970 will also replicate movements that the image exhibited on the callon 1 Feb. 2015.

By way of example, call history 1960 includes an image 1980 at alocation 1985 in the warehouse where the image appeared to be locatedduring the call. The call history 1960 also includes call historyinformation that shows a person named Pearl called on 10 Feb. 2015 at10:30 p.m., and the call lasted for two minutes. During that call, animage of Pearl appeared at location 1985 next to the container 1940. Thecall history 1960 also includes an option to “Replay” the call.Activation of this option will replay the audio and video capturedand/or presented during the call. Movement of the image 1980 will alsoreplicate movements that the image exhibited on the call on 10 Feb.2015.

Consider an example in which a user enters his house and wants to seewhere telephone calls occurred while he was in the house during aone-week period. An electronic device of the user displays the callhistories for this one-week period. As the user walks around the house,the electronic device displays the locations of the where the user wasduring the call, the locations of where images of the callers appearedto the user, and other call history information. The electronic devicethus provides the user with a visual landscape of the previous callsduring the specified time period. The user is thus able to amass a largeamount of call history information in a short period of time and obtainthis information visually through interaction with the electronicdevice. For instance, while standing in the family room, the user cansee where each call occurred while he was in this room. He can also seesimages of the callers and quickly identify the parties to the calls.When the user moves to other rooms in the house, the electronic devicedisplays which calls occurred in these rooms and displays the callhistory information.

FIG. 20A shows a user 2000 wearing electronic glasses 2010 while ridinga bicycle 2020 before a communication exists with another individual.FIG. 20B shows the user 2000 wearing the electronic glasses 2010 whileriding the bicycle 2020 after the communication begins with the otherindividual.

As shown in FIG. 20B, when the user 2000 receives or commences acommunication with the other individual, a display of the electronicglasses 2010 displays an image 2030 representing the other individual.This image 2030 includes an image of the other individual riding abicycle with the user 2000.

In an example embodiment, an electronic device and/or orientationdeterminer or module determines an orientation and/or activity of a userto a communication and displays or provides an image of a person to thiscommunication to have a similar or same orientation and/or activity. Theimage emulates or copies an orientation and/or activity of the personseeing the image.

Before or during the telephone call, an electronic device determinesinformation about the person, such as a location of the person, movementof the person, a field of view of the person, audio of and/or around theperson, a map of a location of the person, and other informationdiscussed herein. This information enables the electronic device todetermine an orientation and/or activity of the person.

Consider an example in which a person receives a telephone call on hiselectronic device from his mother while he sits on a chair in a coffeeshop. The electronic device determines a GPS location of the person asbeing in the coffee shop and captures an image of the person sitting onthe chair. When the telephone call commences, the electronic devicedisplays an image of the mother sitting on a chair similar to the chairon which the person sits. The person thus sees an image of his mothersitting on chair, and she appears to be talking to him from this chairduring the telephone call. An orientation of the image of the mother(i.e., a seated position) and an activity of the image of the mother(i.e., sitting on a chair) match an orientation and an activity of theperson.

Thus, the electronic device can choose to present an image of a personto a communication to match an orientation and/or activity of anotherperson to the communication. As shown in FIG. 20B, the image 2030 isoriented in a seated position with an activity of riding a bicycle. Theorientation and activity of the image matches the orientation andactivity of the user 2000.

An orientation and/or activity of an image can be based on other factorsbesides an orientation and/or activity of a person to the communication.As one example, an electronic device stores user profiles that includepreferred orientations and/or activities for people. For instance, whena user receives a call from or initiates a call to his friend John, animage of John is shown standing (regardless of the orientation and/oractivity of John or the user). As another example, the electronic devicedisplays an image based on a location of the party to the communication.For instance, when the user receives a call from or initiates a call tohis brother, an real-time image of the brother is shown with abackground that includes a landmark or weather where the brother islocated (such as showing an image of snow falling if the brother islocated in snowy environment or showing an image of the Statute ofLiberty if the brother is located in New York city).

FIG. 21 is an electronic system or computer system 2100 that includesone or more servers 2120 in communication with one or more electronicdevices 2130 and a database, storage, or memory 2140 via one or morenetworks 2150. The server 2120 includes a processor 2122, a memory 2124coupled to or in communication with the processor 2122, and one or moremodules, determiners and/or sensors 2126 (examples being discussedherein). The electronic device 2130 includes a processor 2132, a memory2134 coupled to or in communication with the processor 2132, one or moremodules, determiners and/or sensors 2136 (examples being discussedherein), and a display 2138.

FIG. 22 is an electronic device 2200 that includes one or more of thefollowing: a processing unit or processor 2210, a computer readablemedium (CRM) or memory 2220, a display 2230, one or more interfaces 2240(such as a network interface, a graphical user interface, a naturallanguage user interface, and/or an interface that combines reality andvirtuality), a battery or a power supply 2250, wireless communication2260, one or more modules 2270 (for example to execute one or moremethods blocks described herein), one or more determiners 2280 (forexample to execute one or more method blocks described herein), one ormore sensors 2290 (examples described herein), one or more cameras 2292,a Global Positioning System 2294, and audio 2296 (such as a speakerand/or microphone).

FIG. 23 is an electronic device 2300 that includes one or more of thefollowing: a processing unit or processor 2310, a computer readablemedium (CRM) or memory 2320, a display 2330, one or more interfaces 2340(such as a network interface, a graphical user interface, a naturallanguage user interface, and/or an interface that combines reality andvirtuality), one or more recognizers 2350 (such as object recognitionsoftware and/or facial recognition software), and one or more sensors2360 (such as micro-electro-mechanical systems sensor, a motion sensor,an optical sensor, radio-frequency identification sensor, a globalpositioning satellite or system sensor, a solid state compass,gyroscope, an accelerometer, an electronic leveler, a weather sensor,other sensors discussed herein). The electronic device 2300 furtherincludes one or more determiners and/or modules that include but are notlimited to: distance measuring 2370 (such as a laser, an electromagneticwave transmitter/receiver, a rangefinder, and/or a camera), directionmeasuring 2372 (such as a compass, a magnetometer, a heading indicator,an inclinometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a sensor, or otherelectrical device to determine direction), image builder 2374 (such asphoto or image editor or generator that builds images to represent aparty to a communication), image placement 2376 (such as locating emptyspaces, determining size and shape of spaces and objects, anddetermining orientation or direction of objects), location tracker 2378(such as tracking location of user and/or an electronic device), imageorientation 2380 (such as determining orientation of an imageappropriate for an orientation of a user and adjusting imageorientations), object and/or area suitability and/or availability 2382(such as determining which objects and/or areas are suitable and/oravailable for a communication and selecting one or more objects and/orareas, mapping 2384 (such as mapping one or more of locations ofobjects, areas, and people), image placement 2386 (such as determiningwhere to place images on or thru a display to the image appears at alocation, field of view 2388 (such as determining a field of view of anelectronic device and/or a user).

FIGS. 22 and 23 show various components in a single electronic device.One or more of these components can be distributed or included invarious electronic devices, such as some components being included in anHPED, some components being included in a server, some components beingincluded in storage accessible over the Internet, some components beingin wearable electronic devices or an electronic scope or an electronicsighting device or a weapon or a projectile, and some components beingin various different electronic devices that are spread across anetwork, a cloud, and/or an electronic device system or a computersystem.

The processing unit or processor (such as a central processing unit,CPU, microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),etc.) controls the overall operation of memory (such as random accessmemory (RAM) for temporary data storage, read only memory (ROM) forpermanent data storage, and firmware). The processing unit or processorcommunicates with memory and performs operations and tasks thatimplement one or more blocks of the flow diagrams discussed herein. Thememory, for example, stores applications, data, programs, algorithms(including software to implement or assist in implementing exampleembodiments) and other data.

FIG. 24 is a method to display on an electronic device an image thatmatches a portion of a field of view that the electronic device blocks.

Block 2400 states determine a size of an electronic device.

A size of the electronic device includes one or more of its length,height, width, surface area of one or more sides, and volume. Forexample, the size is a surface area (length×width or length×height) of aside of a rectangular shaped electronic device. The size can beretrieved from memory (such as being provided by a manufacturer of theelectronic device).

Block 2410 states determine, in a field of view of a user, a distancefrom a face of the user to the electronic device.

By way of example, a distance measurer or determiner determines thisdistance. As another example, the distance is preset or calculated basedon an arm length of a user or a natural or typical location where theuser holds the electronic device.

Block 2420 states calculate, based on the size of the electronic deviceand the distance from the face of the user to the electronic device, aportion of the field of view of the user that the electronic deviceblocks.

The electronic device blocks an amount of the field of view based on itssize (e.g., its surface area being shown to or visible to the user) andits distance from the face and/or eyes of the user. The amount of thefield of view being blocked increases as the distance decrease, and theamount of the field of view being blocked decreases as the distanceincreases. These amounts will depend, in part on the shape and size ofthe electronic device and can be pre-calculated and stored in memory.For example, a table stores blocked amounts for given distances (e.g.,store a blocked amount for each distance in increments of one centimeteror one inch from a distance of zero to three feet or the length of auser's arm).

Block 2430 states capture, with a camera of the electronic device, animage of the field of view of the user.

A camera in the electronic device captures images (such as real timevideo) of the field of view of the user. For example, when the userholds the camera in front of his face or body, a camera is directedtoward his field of view in front of his body.

Block 2440 states crop and/or adjust the image of the field of view ofthe user to match the portion of the field of view of the user that theelectronic device blocks.

The camera may capture a larger amount of space and/or area in the fieldof view of the user than the portion of the field of view that theelectronic device blocks. In this instance, one or more portions of theimage being captured is cropped or adjusted to match or emulate theportion of the field of view of the user that the electronic deviceblocks.

Block 2450 states display, on the electronic device, the cropped and/oradjusted image that shows the portion of the filed of view of the userthat the electronic device blocks.

The electronic device displays an image of the field of view of the userthat matches the image of the field of view being blocked. The user isthus able to see an entirety of the field of view since the display onthe electronic device shows the portion of the field of view blocked bythe electronic device.

Blocks and/or methods discussed herein can be executed and/or made by auser, a user agent of a user, a software application, an electronicdevice, a computer, and/or a computer system.

Examples of an electronic device include, but are not limited to, aserver, a computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheldportable electronic device (HPED), a portable electronic device (PED), awearable electronic device (WED), wearable electronic glasses (WEG), asmartphone, a camera, a non-portable electronic device, a portableelectronic device, and an electronic device with a processor, a memory,and a display.

Example embodiments can utilize machine learning. Furthermore, one ormore modules and/or determiners can be located on an electronic device(such as an HPED) or in a server (such as a cloud server). For example,one or more modules and/or determiners are located on a server to reducea cost, weight, and/or size of an HPED.

As used herein, “determine” includes to ascertain, to analyze, toevaluate, to process, to calculate, to decide, to obtain, to discover,to retrieve, to execute, and/or to receive.

As used herein, “empty space” is a point or a location that is notfilled or occupied. For example, a location where a human would sit inan empty chair includes an empty space since this location is not filledor occupied.

As used herein, “field of view” is the extent of the observable worldthat is seen or captured at a given moment.

As used herein, a “module” is software (such as part of a softwareprogram) and/or hardware (such as a self-contained component, separatecomponent, or component on a circuit board or with other components). Amodule can represent one or more blocks discussed herein.

As used herein, “virtual image” or “virtual object” is computer orprocessor generated image or object. This image or object often appearsto a user in the real, physical world (such as a virtual 3D dimensionalobject that the user views in the real world).

As used herein, “wearable electronic device” is a portable electronicdevice that is worn on or attached to a person. Examples of such devicesinclude, but are not limited to, electronic watches, electronicnecklaces, electronic clothing, head-mounted displays, electroniceyeglasses or eye wear (such as glasses in which an image is projectedthrough, shown on, or reflected off a surface), electronic contactlenses, an eyetap, handheld displays that affix to a hand or wrist orarm, and HPEDs that attach to or affix to a person.

In some example embodiments, the methods illustrated herein and data andinstructions associated therewith are stored in respective storagedevices, which are implemented as computer-readable and/ormachine-readable storage media, physical or tangible media, and/ornon-transitory storage media. These storage media include differentforms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM, orSRAM, Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EPROMs),Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EEPROMs) andflash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy and removabledisks; other magnetic media including tape; optical media such asCompact Disks (CDs) or Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs). Note that theinstructions of the software discussed above can be provided oncomputer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, or alternatively,can be provided on multiple computer-readable or machine-readablestorage media distributed in a large system having possibly pluralnodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readable medium or media is(are) considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture).An article or article of manufacture can refer to any manufacturedsingle component or multiple components.

Method blocks discussed herein can be automated and executed by acomputer, computer system, user agent, and/or electronic device. Theterm “automated” means controlled operation of an apparatus, system,and/or process using computers and/or mechanical/electrical deviceswithout the necessity of human intervention, observation, effort, and/ordecision.

Example embodiments include embodiments disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/311,532, filed 23 Jun. 2014, entitled “SoundLocalization for an Electronic Call” and incorporated herein byreference.

The methods in accordance with example embodiments are provided asexamples, and examples from one method should not be construed to limitexamples from another method. Further, methods discussed withindifferent figures can be added to or exchanged with methods in otherfigures. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specificquantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific informationshould be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exampleembodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit exampleembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: commencing, over a wirelessnetwork, a communication between electronic glasses of a first personsituated at a location and a handheld portable electronic device of asecond person that is remote from the location; determining, with theelectronic glasses, a three-dimensional (3D) image that represents thesecond person; determining, with the electronic glasses, an empty spacethat is proximate to the first person situated at the location and thathas a size large enough to include the 3D image that represents thesecond person; displaying, with the electronic glasses, atwo-dimensional (2D) image where the empty space is located and with asize of the empty space so the first person can see where the emptyspace is located and the size of the empty space and visuallydistinguish the empty space from other areas shown with the electronicglasses; displaying, with the electronic glasses, the 3D image such thatthe 3D image appears in the empty space with an orientation that facesthe first person situated at the location; determining, with theelectronic glasses, movement of the first person and the electronicglasses away from the location to different locations that are proximateto the location; and continuing to display, with the electronic glasses,the 3D image in the empty space with the orientation that faces thelocation while the first person and the electronic glasses move to thedifferent locations that are proximate to the location.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: continuing to display, with the electronicglasses, a body of the 3D image in empty space with the orientation thatfaces the location while the first person and the electronic glassesmove to the different locations that are proximate to the location; anddisplaying, with the electronic glasses, a head of the 3D image thatrotates while the first person and the electronic glasses move to thedifferent locations that are proximate to the location such that a gazeof the head follows and tracks in real-time the movement of the firstperson and the electronic glasses away from the location to thedifferent locations that are proximate to the location.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: displaying, with the electronic glasses, the2D image with a colored outline that shows a shape of the empty space.4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying, with theelectronic glasses, a preview of the 3D image in the empty space beforecommencing the communication between electronic glasses of a firstperson situated at a location and an electronic device of a secondperson that is remote from the location; determining whether the firstperson accepts the preview of the 3D image in the empty space; anddisplaying, with the electronic glasses, the 3D image in the empty spacewhen the first person accepts the preview of the 3D image in the emptyspace.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: simultaneouslydisplaying, with the electronic glasses, a plurality of different emptyspaces that are outlined with color and that are proximate to thelocation and that are available to include the 3D image during thecommunication; determining that the first person accepts one of theplurality of different empty spaces; and displaying, with the electronicglasses, the 3D image in the one of the plurality of different emptyspaces that was accepted by the first person.
 6. The method of claim 1further comprising: displaying, with the electronic glasses, the 2Dimage to include a 3D image of the empty space that emulates a shape ofthe empty space, wherein the 3D image of the empty space is outlined orfilled with a visual indication to distinguish the 3D image of the emptyspace from the other areas shown with the electronic glasses.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: determining when a third personmoves into and occupies the empty space during the communication;determining that the third person occupies the empty space for a timeperiod; and moving, in response to determining that the third personoccupies the empty space for the time period, the 3D image from beingdisplayed with the electronic glasses at the empty space to beingdisplayed with the electronic glasses at another empty space that isproximate to the location.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the 2Dimage at the location of the empty space is outlined or filled withcolor to visually distinguish the empty space from the other areas shownwith the electronic glasses.
 9. An electronic system, comprising: ahandheld portable electronic device (HPED) of a first person; andelectronic glasses of a second person that communicate with the HPEDduring a phone call between the first person and the second person andthat include: a Global Positioning System (GPS) locator that determinesa location of the second person; a processor that executes instructionsthat determines a location of an empty space that is proximate to thelocation of the second person and that determines that the empty spaceis available and void of other images from other electronic glasses; anorientation module that communicates with the GPS locator and thatdetermines an orientation of a face of the first person to face thelocation of the second person; and a display that displays an image ofthe first person in the empty space during the phone call such that theorientation of the face of the image faces the second person during thephone call, wherein the GPS locator determines movement of the secondperson and the electronic glasses away from the location of the emptyspace and communicates the movement with the orientation module so thatthe orientation module alters the orientation of the face of the imageto move and track a location of the second person while the secondperson moves with respect to the location in the empty space, whereinthe orientation module includes one or more of an accelerometer, amagnetometer, and a gyroscope.
 10. The electronic system of claim 9,wherein the GPS locator determines changes in distances from the secondperson to the location in empty space as the second person moves, andthe display adjusts a size of the image being displayed based on thechanges in the distances from the second person to the location in emptyspace as the second person moves.
 11. The electronic system of claim 9,wherein the processor of the electronic glasses further executes objectrecognition software in order to identify an object that is proximate tothe second person, determines the object is a chair that is unoccupied,and communicates with the display to display the image sitting on thechair.
 12. The electronic system of claim 9, wherein the electronicglasses further include a camera that captures a field of view, and theprocessor communicates with the camera and the orientation module inorder to determine a direction of the field of view of the electronicglasses of the second person, and wherein the display displays anindication of a location of the empty space when the processordetermines that the direction of the field of view of the electronicglasses does not include the location of the empty space.
 13. Theelectronic system of claim 9, wherein the electronic glasses furtherincludes a clock that tracks how long a field of view of the electronicglasses does not include the location of the empty space during thephone call, and wherein the display displays an amount of time when thelocation of the image of the first person in the empty space will changeto a different location in empty space that is in the field of view ofthe electronic glasses.
 14. The electronic system of claim 9 furthercomprising: a server that is in communication with the electronicglasses, that includes a clock that tracks a time how long the image ofthe first person occupies the empty space during the phone call, andthat includes a processor that calculates a cost to rent the empty spacebased on the time how long the image of the first person occupied theempty space.
 15. The electronic system of claim 9: wherein the processorfurther executes the instructions and determines when an empty space isnot available to place the image of the first person and determinesmultiple locations proximate to the second person that include emptyspaces that are available, and the display simultaneously displays themultiple locations proximate to the second person that include the emptyspaces that are available as suggestions to where the second personshould move during the phone call.
 16. Electronic glasses worn on a headof a first person while communicating a call to an electronic device ofa second person, the electronic glasses comprising: a Global PositioningSystem (GPS) locator that determines a location of the first person; aprocessor that executes object recognition software and that identifiesan object that is proximate to the location of the first person and thatdetermines a location of an empty space located on the object; a displaythat displays an image of the second person in the empty space locatedon the object while the electronic glasses communicates the call to theelectronic device of the second person; an orientation module thatcommunicates with the processor in order to determine an angle betweenan orientation of a body of the image of the second person and thelocation of the first person and rotates a head of the image of thesecond person equal to the angle so the head of the image of the secondperson faces the first person; a memory that stores locations of emptyspaces that previously included images of people with whom the firstperson engaged in previous phone calls with the electronic glasses,wherein the display simultaneously shows the images of the people in theempty spaces to show a call history of where the images were displayedto exist during the previous phone calls; and wherein the processorcommunicates with the orientation module and determines movement of thefirst person and the electronic glasses around the empty space locatedon the object, and rotates the head of the image of the second person sothat a face of the head of the image of the second person follows themovement of the first person around the empty space located on theobject, wherein the orientation module includes one or more of anaccelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope.
 17. The electronicglasses of claim 16, wherein the display simultaneously displaysthree-dimensional (3D) images of empty spaces that are available toinclude the image of the second person during the call and 3D images ofempty spaces that are occupied with 3D images from other electronicglasses and hence not available to include the image of the secondperson during the call.
 18. The electronic glasses of claim 16 furthercomprising: a camera that determines a field of view of the electronicglasses, and wherein the display automatically moves the image of thesecond person to a different empty space that is in the field of view ofthe electronic glasses when the camera shows that the field of view doesnot include the location of the image of the second person in the emptyspace.
 19. The electronic glasses of claim 16, wherein the processorfurther executes the object recognition software and determines when athird person moves into and occupies the empty space during the call,determines that the third person occupies the empty space for a timeperiod, and communicates with the orientation module to move, inresponse to determining that the third person occupies the empty spacefor the time period, the image from being displayed with the electronicglasses at the empty space to being displayed with the electronicglasses at another empty space that is proximate to the first person.